… holds Stakeholders meeting With Drug-Related NGOS, Religious Groups, Students, Others
Lagos State First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has emphasised the importance of a unified approach in combating drug abuse.
Speaking at a Stakeholders’ Meeting on Drug Abuse held recently at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Lagos, she highlighted the necessity for all relevant stakeholders to collaborate effectively to achieve a comprehensive solution.
Sanwo-Olu underscored the role of her office in focusing on sensitisation and advocacy to tackle the issue, just as she urged other stakeholders to clearly define their areas of focus and consistently work within their capacities to ensure a coordinated effort in the fight against drug abuse.
Her words: “The issue of drug abuse can be tackled from different points of views. Through advocacy and sensitisation, fundraising and rehabilitation, just to a few. All these components must be harnessed for a meaningful outcome.”
The Lagos First Lady, who revealed that there is always a sign of drug abuse or abuse of drugs in almost every house, added that urgent steps must be taken to revert the ugly trend and restore sanity to every home and the society.
She informed that the stakeholders’ engagement is planned to be a continuous exercise where the attendees can always provide feedback that can be built on for subsequent engagements.
“My office is committed to ensuring that the system is challenged, this we do by bringing all relevant stakeholders together, and that is the reason why you’ve been invited here today. Our objective is to ensure that everyone works tirelessly towards eradicating this virus that has badly eaten deep into every community, street and family”, Sanwo-Olu stated.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Pharm. Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu raised concerns over the increasing demand for rehabilitation services in the State.
Speaking through Mrs. Rashidat Umar, a Director in the Ministry, at the Stakeholders’ Meeting, the Permanent Secretary lamented the alarming number of residents seeking help for their family members in rehabilitation centres.
She revealed that both government-owned and privately-operated rehabilitation centres are currently operating at full capacity, underscoring the escalating rate of drug abuse among Lagos residents. This surge in demand, according to her, highlights the urgent need for expanded resources and coordinated efforts to address the drug abuse crisis effectively.
The Permanent Secretary informed the participants at the stakeholders meeting and residents of the State to consider exploring the option of the Lagos MiND initiative where some mild cases of drug abuse can be easily attended to in some general hospitals or through phone calls.
On his part, the State Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Lagos State Command, Abubakar Liman Wali decried the loopholes in the judicial system in apportioning appropriate sanctions and punishment to
persons arrested for drug trafficking or drug abuse-related offences.
“I can tell you that we are doing our part by arresting individuals involved in drug abuse and handing them over to the judiciary. However, the fines imposed often fail to serve as a severe deterrent. These individuals can easily pay the hefty fines, which undermines the efforts to curb drug-related crimes”, he stated.