Parents, Caregivers and other relevant stakeholders have been urged to create time for regular interaction with their children as the fight against illicit drugs intensifies in the country.
This was the position of speakers at a one day workshop on Youths, Drugs and the Society which held at the Rivers State Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt.
Declaring the Workshop open, the Permanent Secretary Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Comfort Mekele said that the dangers of illicit drug abuse and it’s effect on the society can not be overemphasized. She said government is working assiduously to ensure that youths are encouraged to make healthy choices that would enable them become worthy leaders of tomorrow.
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The Director of Public Health and Disease Control Services, Dr. Ndubuisi Akpuh, Rivers State Ministry of Health and the Assistant State Commander, Drug Demand Reduction Unit, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mrs. Grace Adeniyi, while giving separate lectures on Drug Abus,e posited that illicit drug are not consumed for medical purposes. This menace has been linked to crimes and negatively affects their ability to become responsible members of society.
Earlier in his Address, the Chairman of Men Aglow Charity Foundation, Chief Wilson Kalada, said that Drug Abuse, which is a societal vice, can also be traced to failure in the roles of a family. He urged Parents to ensure Children and Youth affected by Drug Abuse are provided with the opportunity for counselling, Mentorship and skill acquisition.
Some students who attended the workshop appreciated the organisers for the timing of the program and advised youths to shun the use of illicit drugs
Highlights of the Event included an Interactive session and the Sharing of Life Experiences by rehabilitated drug abusers.
