Sanwo-Olu’s wife decries drug addiction among youths

•To collaborate with NDLEA on war against drug abuse in schools, communities
Wife of Lagos State governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, decried high prevalence of drug addiction among youths, saying it has become a worrisome menace in society, that no one could pretend about its existence.

She pledged to work with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other critical stakeholders on the war against drug abuse especially in schools and in communities across the state.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu spoke at a strategic meeting held at Lagos House, Ikeja with the NDLEA and other critical stakeholders, including the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, senior officials of the Ministries of Education, Health, Youths and Social Development, wives of Local Government Chairmen, Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), school principals, market women and the Medical Director of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Gbenga Owoeye.

In a statement, she said: “The earlier we tackled the daunting challenge, the better for our youths, ourselves, and the social health of our society. This strategic meeting is aimed at putting the menace of drug abuse and associated social vices on the front burner.

“We are truly and deeply concerned about the increase in the rate at which the younger ones are now getting addicted to illicit drugs, a development that brought about the need for all relevant stakeholders to embark on a campaign to fight the menace and enlighten victims on the dangers inherent in such lifestyle both now and in the future.”

Commander of NDLEA, Lagos State Command, Callys Alumona, commended the governor’s wife for convening the meeting to advance the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA).

He stressed that something urgent must be done to prevent the state from becoming a gateway for illicit and dangerous drugs, both within and outside Nigeria.

He also urged Dr. Sanwo-Olu to organise a training workshop for women in government who are mothers themselves, as well as political and social leaders, to enable them to have a better understanding of the consequences of drug abuse and the signs to note when a child is engaging in drug abuse or illicit dealing in drugs.