National Assembly Seeks Parents Inclusion in War Against Drug Abuse

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The National Assembly yesterday asked stakeholders in the war against drug abuse and trafficking to involve parents in their active bid to end the menace in Nigeria.
A joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Drugs and Narcotics made the appeal during a one-day sensitization programme it organised in collaboration with National Association of Nigerian Drugs Monitoring (NANDRUM).

Speaking on the occasion, with a theme, “Parents Inclusion in the Fight Against Drug Abuse and Reckless Behaviours, “
the President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Godswill Akpabio, said the involvement of parents in the fight was very necessary and critical.

Akpabio who was represented by the Deputy Leader of the Senate, Senator Lola Ashiru, said the epidemic of drug abuse and trafficking, should be tackled right from the home fronts led by parents.
Akpabio said: “Getting parents involved in the fight against drug abuse is taking the battle to the basis and tackling the menace right from the home front since those indulging in it, come from different homes before hitting the streets as drug addicts or traffickers.

“The theme of today’s sensitization programme on the dangers of drugs abuse, is very apt and very necessary for effective fight against the menace of drug abuse.
“The fight against drugs abuse is indeed a fight for our posterity requiring parents to be on the front lines being the guiding force in their children’s lives.

“I urge all parents to take up this mantle of responsibility with unwavering determination since the greatest gift any parent  can give to children is not riches but the spirit of adventure, the virtue of integrity and the gift of courage .
“Let us equip our children with the required tools they need to navigate life ‘s challenges without falling victim to the perils of drug abuse.”

Speaking on behalf of the chairman of the panel, Mallam Isa Garba said the sensitization programme was collaboratively organised to step up the fight against drug abuse.