The Federal Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other stakeholders have strengthened their collaboration to combat drug abuse, promote mental health awareness and protect young Nigerians from substance abuse.
The partnership was highlighted at a conference themed “Rescue the Youth, Restore the Future, and Fight Against the Drug Menace,” which brought together government institutions, educators, health professionals, civil society organisations and community leaders to develop strategies for addressing substance abuse among young people.
Speaking at the conference, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mrs Evelyn Obioma Agozlem, described drug abuse as a growing public health and developmental concern, urging stakeholders to prioritise prevention, early intervention and appropriate support for affected youths.
Representing Federal Government Colleges, Mrs Musa Adama Tanko of Federal Government Girls College, Bwari, called for improved counselling services in schools, stronger parental guidance and closer collaboration among teachers, parents and health professionals.
She stressed the need to identify early signs of substance abuse and mental health challenges among students and address them through timely interventions.
In his keynote address, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), warned that substance abuse posed a serious threat to the health, security, education and future of Nigerian youths.
Marwa, who was represented by the Director of Drug Demand Reduction, Alhaji Abubakar Garba, said the Agency’s responsibilities went beyond drug enforcement to include prevention, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation.
He highlighted the NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse campaign and disclosed that the Agency had established 31 rehabilitation centres across the country, with plans to expand access to treatment services.
Earlier, the President of the Civil Society on Mental Health and Drug Demand Reduction (CISMHEDDR–Africa), Engr. Prosper Okafor, called for stronger partnerships among government institutions, schools, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations and community leaders.
Okafor stressed that tackling drug abuse required collective action and sustained cooperation among relevant institutions and communities.
Other speakers, including Dr Prince Abba and the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Abuja, FCT Chapter, Hon. Andrew Okonkwo Ugwu, advocated greater community participation, youth empowerment, mental health support and practical interventions to address the underlying factors driving substance abuse.
The conference reaffirmed the need for sustained collaboration among government institutions, schools, families and communities to prevent drug abuse, reduce stigma and ensure that young people affected by substance abuse have access to counselling, treatment and rehabilitation.
