Senate Urges for Immediate Action on Increasing Drug Use Among Youth,

On Thursday, the Nigerian Senate urged swift measures to tackle the growing drug abuse problem, especially among the country’s youth. During a one-day national event aimed at encouraging parental involvement in combating drug use and irresponsible behavior, senators warned that failure to act could have significant social and economic impacts on Nigeria’s young generation.

Deputy Senate Leader Senator Lola Ashiru, representing Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stressed the urgent need for action. The event, organized by the Joint Committee on Drugs and Narcotics in partnership with the National Association of Nigerian Drug Monitoring (NANDRUM), called for a united effort to curb drug abuse.

Senator Ashiru highlighted the link between drug abuse and rising crime, as well as its effects on access to quality education, emphasizing that the solution starts at home, with parents playing a crucial role.

“Combating drug abuse is a fight for our future. As parents, we lead this effort, providing guidance and creating environments where positive choices are encouraged. Open discussions about the dangers of drugs are essential,” he stated.

Event convener Ambassador Cristabel Okoye also underscored the role of parents in guiding children from an early age. She voiced concerns over the glamorization of drugs in movies and music videos, which she believes promotes harmful behavior, costing valuable lives.

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With the youth facing a drug addiction crisis, the Senate declared the issue an emergency and called for immediate intervention to mitigate its impact.