The Lagos State Government has issued a warning to young adults against negative peer pressure that could push them into drug and substance abuse as well as illicit trafficking activities.
 |
| Lagos State Government sensitizes young adults on the negative effects of drug and substance abuse. Photo: @followlasg |
According to lagosstate.gov.ng:
Lagos State Government has once again warned young adults, particularly teenagers and youths, against negative peer pressure that could lead them to indulge in drug and substance abuse and illicit trafficking activities.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye who gave this warning recently at a School Awareness and Sensitisation programme to commemorate the Y2023 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Lagos, noted that peer pressure has been linked to drug and substance abuse, misuse, addiction and illicit trafficking, especially amongst teenagers and youths.
Speaking through the Director, Pharmaceutical Services, Mrs. Oyebisi Omolanbe, at the programme held at the Agidingbi Senior Secondary School in Ikeja, he said, “Peers play a significant role in our lives, especially in late childhood and adolescence, however, negative peer pressure with regards to misuse and abuse of drugs and substances as well as trafficking of the same comes with a lot of burden and negative consequences”.
“We are here to sensitise, educate and empower young minds with information that will help them make the right choices. Knowledge, they say, is power, so having the right information about the abuse of drugs and substances and how to stay clear of it cannot be overemphasised.
“Drug and substance abuse can affect every aspect of a child’s life and also have a negative effect on society. So the earlier we nip it in the bud, the better for our youths and the society.”
Ogboye noted that the Y2023 United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking commemorative theme: “People First: Stop Stigma And Discrimination, Strengthening Prevention”, is well thought out.
“So this year’s theme is people-centered. Addicts and people who abuse drugs and substances should not be treated as criminals but treated as patients. We should see them as being ill. The way you treat any other patient is the way they should be treated. But for the suppliers, the distributors, they should be treated as criminals”.
