Odu’a GMD calls for more sensitisation on hard drugs consequences

WITH recurrent reports of seizures of hard drugs, Group Managing Director, Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Mr Adewale Raji has called for increased sensitisation of Nigerians, especially the youths, on the grave consequences of continued consumption of hard drugs.

Raji made this call when he led other staff of the company on a walk to sensitise residents of Ibadan on drug abuse and the need for good healthy lifestyle, on Saturday.

The walk which spanned Cocoa House, Dugbe to Mokola saw Odu’a staff render public messages warning Nigerians that consumers of hard drugs were prone to developing physical and psychological dependence thereby damaging their body systems and cutting short their lives.

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Various staff who spoke added that increased public campaigns against drug abuse had become expedient owing to its associated consequences on the society to include recorded instances of rape, psychiatric disorders, armed robbery, kidney damage, liver failure and several other health challenges.

Speaking, Raji said, “In the news, we continue to hear of Customs seizing containers of hard drugs and one begins to wonder if it is food.

“Under the current economic climate, we have found out that our youths are taking to drugs. Odu’a, therefore, considered it necessary and we participate in sensitising the public, young and old alike, on the need to curb this menace among the youths.

“We cannot be aloof of the environment we live in. The issue of drug abuse affects our youths which are the hope of the future, has become prevalent. We do know that a lot of destinies have been cut short due to indulgence, peer influence relating to drug abuse.”

Also noting the prevalence of various diseases, Raji also emphasised the need for Nigerians to exercise and eat good food to develop antibodies and immunity against diseases.

The Agbaakin Olubadan of Ibadan land, Chief Lekan Alabi, who was also present for the walk, charged individuals and organisations, to like Odu’a, organise sensitisations, so as to stem the menace in the country.

Public Relations Officer, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Oyo State, Mrs Mutiat Okuwobi, who also participated, said the menace in the country was not unconnected with the fact that today’s youths sought quick ways to get rich.

In a bid to get rich, she decried that youths damned the consequences, such that relevant drug enforcement agencies made arrests and seizures on an almost daily basis.

Okuwobi also noted that more propagation of the consequences of drug abuse by all well-meaning Nigerians, in their various capacities, will help stem the menace.

“Drug abuse is eating the society and all hands have to be on the deck to ensure a drug free society. We need to tackle it. We need to tell people the way out of it. Get-rich-quick syndrome is the problem. The consequences of drug abuse must be propagated so that we can all tackle it. Both public and private must be involved in the war against drug abuse,” Okuwobi said.

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