Kwara State Hosts Summit On Drug Abuse: Experts And Enforcement Agencies Chart The Way Forward

Kwara State Hosts Summit On Drug Abuse: Experts And Enforcement Agencies Chart The Way Forward

In an effort to combat the rising scourge of drug abuse, the Kwara State Government, led by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, convened the 1st Kwara Stakeholders Summit on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control….READ MORE Federal Government Takes Bold Steps To Curb Youth Drug Abuse And Promote Productivity

The summit, themed “Forging a Common Front in the Fight against Drug Abuse,” brought together various stakeholders, including experts, enforcement agencies, and youth representatives, to deliberate on strategies to address this pressing social issue.

Governor AbdulRazaq highlighted the multifaceted approach his administration is employing to tackle drug abuse effectively. He emphasized the importance of investing in people-oriented programs that engage young individuals in productive activities and steer them away from substance abuse and other negative behaviors. The Governor underscored the significance of creating an enabling environment for youth development through initiatives such as the Innovation Hub, Visual Arts Centre, and Garment Factory, among others.

Represented by Commissioner for Social Development, Hon. Afolashade Opeyemi, Governor AbdulRazaq reiterated the government’s commitment to combating drug abuse through a combination of strategies. He highlighted recent appointments and interventions aimed at curbing drug abuse and expressed optimism that the summit would yield practical solutions to the challenge.

Ms. Rinsola Abiola, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, emphasized the urgent need for collective action to address the prevalence of substance abuse among young people. She underscored the detrimental effects of drug abuse on health and national development and called for sustained awareness campaigns to educate youth on the risks associated with substance abuse.

The summit featured insightful presentations by key stakeholders, including the Commander of the NDLEA Kwara State Command, Muhammed Bashir Ibrahim, and Dr. Martins Agwogle, Executive Director of Global Initiatives on Substance Abuse. Discussions centered on enforcement measures, prevention strategies, and the importance of community engagement in combating drug abuse.

Participants commended the government’s efforts and proposed additional measures to address the root causes of drug abuse, including education, rehabilitation, and stricter penalties for offenders. The summit concluded with a call for continued collaboration and concerted action to safeguard the well-being of young people and secure a drug-free future for Kwara State and Nigeria as a whole.