Ogun State Commissioner for
Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, has described drug abuse and illicit
trafficking as threats to socio-economic and national development.
Soyinka stated this at a press conference to mark the 2014 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Abeokuta.
He noted that drug abuse and trafficking in narcotic and psychotropic substances were global phenomenal threatening not only the health of the citizens, but also destroying the social cohesion including economic and political stability of the nation.
The commissioner said the menace was a major threat to the survival and effective functioning of human societies, adding that instances of deaths from accidents and violent crimes like armed robbery, car snatching, theft, assassinations, arson had been traced to the activities of persons under the influence of hard drugs.
He said, “Some of our youths, particularly our girls under the influence of drugs parade themselves on the streets at night as prostitutes, thereby exposing themselves to various forms of sexually transmitted diseases including Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.”
Calling on stakeholders, particularly teachers and religious leaders to educate pupils and members of the public on the dangers of drug abuse, Soyinka said the theme of the event ‘A Message of Hope: Drug Abuse Disorder are Preventable and Treatable’, could not have been better discussed than now when teenagers and youths needed it the most.
He assured that the Senator Ibikunle Amosun- led administration would leave no stone unturned at ensuring relative peace and improved security, saying that Drug Abuse Committee had been set up with the responsibility of intensifying campaigns against drug abuse and trafficking.
Soyinka stated this at a press conference to mark the 2014 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Abeokuta.
He noted that drug abuse and trafficking in narcotic and psychotropic substances were global phenomenal threatening not only the health of the citizens, but also destroying the social cohesion including economic and political stability of the nation.
The commissioner said the menace was a major threat to the survival and effective functioning of human societies, adding that instances of deaths from accidents and violent crimes like armed robbery, car snatching, theft, assassinations, arson had been traced to the activities of persons under the influence of hard drugs.
He said, “Some of our youths, particularly our girls under the influence of drugs parade themselves on the streets at night as prostitutes, thereby exposing themselves to various forms of sexually transmitted diseases including Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.”
Calling on stakeholders, particularly teachers and religious leaders to educate pupils and members of the public on the dangers of drug abuse, Soyinka said the theme of the event ‘A Message of Hope: Drug Abuse Disorder are Preventable and Treatable’, could not have been better discussed than now when teenagers and youths needed it the most.
He assured that the Senator Ibikunle Amosun- led administration would leave no stone unturned at ensuring relative peace and improved security, saying that Drug Abuse Committee had been set up with the responsibility of intensifying campaigns against drug abuse and trafficking.
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