Unite Against Addiction - Advocacy Group Amplifies Awareness On Drug And Substance Abuse Prevention 


Habiba Aniekan Sam 

BENIN CITY 

In a concerted effort to eradicate the scourge of drug and substance abuse in Edo State, Smile Africa International Youth Development Initiative convened a multi-stakeholder meeting to strategize on effective solutions. 


The event, which marked the 5th Bi-Annual Multi-Stakeholders Dialogue and Coordination Meeting, took place at Vichi Gates Hotel in Benin City.


The gathering brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including representatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLA), Immigration, Civil Society Organizations, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), among others.


Odion Festus, the keynote speaker, emphasized the imperative of collective action to combat the devastating consequences of drug abuse. 


He noted that while awareness about the issue has increased significantly, there is still much work to be done. Festus underscored the importance of partnering with various ministries and organizations to amplify the impact of their efforts in Edo and Delta states.


Festus stressed that drug abuse is a menace that no responsible individual or society can afford to ignore. 


He also highlighted the need to balance the pursuit of justice with the protection of human rights, ensuring that the rights of individuals are not violated in the process.


Jennifer Odion, the program officer, echoed Festus' sentiments, emphasizing the importance of adopting a compassionate approach towards drug users. 


Rather than stigmatizing or chasing them away, Odion advocated for providing support and shelter to help them reintegrate into society. 


She shared a poignant example of a young girl who, after seeking help from her parents, was rejected and forced to resort to desperate measures, ultimately contracting HIV.


The meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to engage in fruitful discussions, focusing on innovative strategies to reduce drug abuse. 


Key areas of emphasis included preventing younger generations from initiating drug use, providing support for those already affected, and targeting dealers, sellers, and consumers of illicit substances.


As the meeting drew to a close, participants expressed their commitment to collaborative action, recognizing that a unified effort is essential to overcoming the complex challenges posed by drug and substance abuse. With renewed determination and a shared vision, the stakeholders departed, poised to implement effective solutions and create a safer, healthier future for the people of Edo State.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
 North America Chapter of SMAGOGA Renovates Administrative Block The North America Chapter of Saint Maria Gorretti  Old Girls Association has renovated and Commissioned the Administrative Block of the school.  The renovated administrative block of the school project which  was majorly financed by the North America chapter of the school's old girls association(SMAGOGA) was commissioned and handed over to the school's management. In her speech on the occasion, Lucy Dunmi Ukponmwan, the President of the North America chapter of SMAGOGA, said that the renovated administrative block building "is a symbol of hope, a place where dreams are nurtured" adding "it is our collective responsibility that the students feel valued and supported." In her own submission, Janet Adenrele, the Global Publicity Secretary of SMAGOGA said that the renovated building, based on the caliber of people who came to witness the event, had shown its value. While reflecting on the values an...
Read more

Eghosa Old Students In USA Lays Foundation For ICT/E-Learning Centre In Alma Mater

Image
Dr Osahon Ukponmwan In demonstration of it's kind gesture towards giving back to its alma mater and ensure current and future students of Eghosa Anglican Grammar School benefit from available technology and become more competitive globally, the Eghosa Alumni Association, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania Chapter, United States of America (USA), has commenced construction of an e-learning center at Eghosa Anglican Grammar School Complex in Benin City.  An alumni of EGHOBA and APC Deputy National Treasurer, Lady Omorede Osifo,  performed the ground breaking on behalf of the President EGHOBA New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania Chapter, Dr. Osahon Ukponmwan. It was a  landmark moment for both past and present students of the school as they converged to mark the groundbreaking ceremony of the ICT building/e- library Centre, sponsored by the  Eghosa Alumni Association (New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania Chapter, United States). In his remark, the President of th...
Read more
Peace Through Partnership: Group Calls On Women Journalists To Support Peace Building Efforts Seeks Habiba Aniekan Sam Partners for Peace in Nigeria Delta (P4P), a network supported by the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), has called on women journalists to join forces with them in their mission to promote peace in the region The network's Chairman of the Prevent Committee in Edo State, Catechist Alphonsus Odiaua, made the appeal to the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Edo State chapter, seeking their support in amplifying their message of peace According to Odiaua, P4P's mission is to build social capital around peace-building by amplifying the voices of positive actors, building a network of self-identified agents of peace, and leveraging that network through facilitation, small grants, and capacity building The network comprises thousands of stakeholders from civil society, community-based organizations, private compani...
Read more