Drug abuse, cause of social vices —Ogun govt

At the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Ogun State Government warned residents against the use of hard drugs.

Government said this was to reduce social vices associated with indiscriminate drug use.

The government gave this warning through the Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Tunde Olowonyo, during a public awareness campaign at Kuto Market, Abeokuta, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Olowonyo described drug abuse as the use of illicit drugs, abuse of prescription or use of drugs in an illicit manner.

He warned that social problems and health danger that could result from drug abuse include violent behaviour, panic attacks, mood swings, heart attack and stroke.

“It is necessary for people to abide by laws guiding drug intake, as its indiscriminate usage poses health dangers to humanity, constitutes serious threat to public health, the safety and well-being of humanity, particularly the young generation, and it undermines socio-economic and political stability and sustainable development,” the medical practitioner said.

Olowonyo, who was represented by the Director, Pharmaceutical Services, Mrs. Modupe Olurin, disclosed that the government was working assiduously to create a healthy environment and ensure that residents avoid harmful lifestyle.

Also, the Deputy Director, Pharmaceutical Services, Mr. Olayiwola Adewunmi, urged market women to always educate their wards on the need to desist from illicit drugs and adhere strictly to the prescriptions obtained from qualified medical personnel.

On her part, the representative of the NDLEA, Mrs. Eucharia Ekwu, assured that the agency would continue to partner with relevant agencies to combat drug abuse and illicit substance use to ensure that the nation is drug abuse-free.

Responding, the Iyaloja of Kuto Market, Alhaja Isiwat Adewuyi, lauded the organisers for the initiative, describing it as a valuable step towards combating drug abuse.

She advocated the creation of more job opportunities to engage the youths and steer them away from social vices. Please feel free to post your comment through the provided box. Thank you.