By Ibironke Ariyo
A non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Dr Yusuf John-Suberu Foundation on Wednesday stressed the urgent need to address the growing problem of drug abuse among young people in the country.
The Executive Director of the Foundation , Dr Yusuf Suberu made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Mr. Suberu, who cited the devastating impact of drug abuse on youth and general nation, expressed concern about the growing rate of drug abuse amongst youth.
He described it as a great threat to his health, wellness and future.
Suberu, however, acknowledged that it could be a difficult task completely eradicating drug abuse, while believing it was possible to significantly reduce its prevalence to negligible levels.
“Unfortunately, many young people now consider drugs and intolerance acceptable, making promising people fall victim to these destructive habits.
“The situation is alarming and requires immediate attention from all stakeholders, including government, parents, civil society organizations and NGOs.
“Our goal is to change the narrative and prevent a significant number of young people from being involved in these harmful behaviors,” he said.
Suberu, however, proposed a comprehensive solution to address the problem that included education, counseling and rehabilitation initiatives to help affected youth to overcome their drug dependence and rebuild their lives.
The NGO official also called on the government to intensify efforts to combat human trafficking and drug-dependency, strengthening legislation and law enforcement and providing assistance to drug-affected families and communities.
“The future of our nation is at stake and we must act now to protect our youth from the scourge of drug addiction.
“On our part, we will launch a national awareness campaign for the hazards of drug addiction and mobilize support for affected youth.
