Sanwo-Olu’s wife, stakeholders battle drug abuse

Wife of Lagos State governor, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and stakeholders have stressed the need to prioritise the fight against substance abuse.
At the stakeholders’ meeting: ‘Tackling Drug Abuse in Lagos’, Mrs. Sanwo-Olu said drug abuse affects ‘children, youths, men and women’.

She said: “We are concerned about the rate at which this has permeated our society. Admit it or not, this menace affects everyone, as it impacts the security and safety of our state and country.

“I believe when two or more come together to deliberate on issues, change is inevitable.

“We have rested on our oars for so long, and it is time to take the bull by the horns. Now is the time to take actions and make a positive change in Lagos and Nigeria, on drug abuse.”

Mrs. Sanwo-Olu, who said her initiative is based on advocacy and awareness, added: “My office is committed to ensuring the system is challenged, this we do by bringing stakeholders together. Our objective is targeted at ensuring everyone works towards eradicating this virus eaten deep into every community, street and family.”

State Commandant of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abubakar Wali, lamented that the percentage of drug abuse in the country was alarming. He blamed the menace on lack of support for children, unemployment, poverty and peer pressure.

Wali called for collaboration, saying the problem will be better tackled through robust engagement with the victim rather than punishment.

Source: The Nation