The Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry, CADAM of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, on Friday, organised a workshop, to draw the nation’s attention to the worsening case of drug and substance abuse among youths in Nigeria.
Held as part of activities marking the 2015 world’s drug day, the theme of the event was, “The frightening escalation of substance abuse amongst the youth: What can be done?”
The event had in attendance various experts in the field, who dealt with issues of drug abuse in the society. It also drew attendance from secondary school students, as well as other members of the public.
Dokun Adedeji, national coordinator of CADAM, while speaking at the event, called on the general public to spread the news of harmful effect of drug abuse especially as it affects 25 per cent of Nigerian children.
“This trend is now an epidemic. The impact of drug abuse on youths is very immense and devastating. It is bad if you see a group of ten secondary and university students and eight are involved with drugs. If we wait till we get them as individuals, it will definitely be too late.
“The media has a role to play, it doesn’t end in this forum. It has to be a regular thing and that is where the media gets involved. Taking steps to live a healthy lifestyle clearly helps to reduce the risk and early treatment slow or prevent the progression of drug abuse,” he noted.
Christopher Kolade, Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to the UK, who was the chairman at the event, described the programme as a means of reaching out to the younger generation and teaching them to be assertive.
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