Agency proposes holistic approach to end cultism, drug abuse

The Nigeria Policing Programme (NPP) has called for the adoption of parents and community members as a holistic approach to tackle the rising menace of cultism and drug abuse in the country.

Engaging families and the grassroots are pertinent, as it would yield positive outcome in the reduction of criminal activities and other negative impact posed by cultism and drug abuse among young persons in the society, it said.

Speaking during a community sensitisation workshop at Isolo Council secretariat, the State Intervention Lead, NPP, Tosin Osasona, said engaging and influencing critical stakeholders at the local level, which include parents and custodians of children, should be the primary objective of government and corporate bodies seeking to address this menace.

According to him, parents have an important role to play in influencing the environment their children operate in, as well as shaping the attitude of their children in decision making, despite peer pressure.

“Engaging the community will make them more aware of the dangers in drug abuse and cultism. They will be aware of what those actions mean in their various communities. A lot of them feign ignorance, but now they will be more aware of the impact of drug abuse and cultism in the community,” he said.

On the importance of women in curbing the menace, a Consultant Addiction Psychiatrist at Beacon Health Advocacy Foundation, Olajumoke Koyejo, described women as influencers in their homes and society, which is vital in helping the children make right decisions.

“Women are seen as pillars of their homes, so their impact is how they shape and influence attitudes and children. They have positive influence on children because education is critical, so that children won’t get to school and be persuaded by their peers to engage in evil acts,” she stressed.

Commending the programme, the Iyaloja-General of Isolo, Eunice Oluranti, said “initiating programmes at the grassroots level that is essential in reducing cultism and drug abuse,” as perpetrators operate mostly in this area.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Area D Command, Isolo Division, Ogunbadejo Temitope, who commended the initiative, ridding the society of cultism and drug abuse requires collective effort.