With Joke Adeniyi-Jackson
My desire to relish meat barbecue took me to a favourite ‘Suya’ spot along Geri-Alimi road, Ilorin, Kwara State, Saturday night. My ten-minute wait while the ‘Mallam’ garnished and packaged the smoked beef brisket for me, opened my eye to the fact that Ilorin, the state capital is sitting on keg of gun powder. How do I mean? From every direction emerged young people both male and female, whom no one needs an addiction specialist to tell that they were inebriated with hard substance. The tell tale was written all over them; their appearance and mannerism were symptomatic of their drug addiction. Of great concern is the fact that most of these people fall into the age bracket of between 18 and 40. Mostly abused are opioids like tramadol and codeine. Sadly, the dangers of drug abuse of all sorts confront us every day on the roads, at the workplace, in schools, even at our homes among others. Despite the fact that abuse of drug is not beneficial, most of the abusers don’t realise just how dangerous it can be to them and the society at large. Aside the fact that drug abuse poses danger to the health such as kidney damage, seizures, mental psychosis-delusion, hallucination, and even schizophrenia , the security of community where it is rife, is threatened. Most social crimes such as public disturbance, cultism, rape, burglary, robbery, prostitution etcetera are functions of drug abuse. The issue of drug abuse among youths in the state, particularly Ilorin, the state capital is a sad narrative, which calls for urgent step to stem the tide.
It would be recalled that about two years ago, a group of secondary school students in Ilorin, organised an Indian hemp carnival. They even had the audacity to print flyers to create awareness for their herrondous expedition, which however served as their undoing because they were rounded up by the police during the ungodly ceremony. However, up till now the ugly trend of drug abuse, which has been widely attributed to youthful exuberance, has continued unabated. This unwholesome habit, no doubt, is fast destroying the lives of potential future leaders. Peer pressure is also a contributory factor to drug abuse among the youth. Also, idleness among youths could easily make drug addiction a fascinating option.
It is however high time an end is put to this sad development, which is fast casting a bad image on the ancient city of Ilorin, which is referred to as citadel of Islam in the country. Hence, the need for government to declare a state of emergency on drug addiction. It is important to however state that government alone cannot do it. Stakeholders in the society must also brace up to the challenge for sanity in our society.
The role of parents in fighting this social crime cannot be undermine. This is because it is believed that decline of family value systems, parents not playing their roles properly, children and youth therefore not receiving proper guidance, social media influence, poverty and unemployment are causative factors of drug abuse and addiction among youths. Therefore, it’s pertinent for parents and guardians to spend time to inculcate moral values in their children/wards. For no reason should parents neglect their roles in the proper upbringing of their children. It is only when parents spend ample time with their children that they could really notice negative vices and traits in them and quickly nip such in the bud.
Similarly, public enlightenment campaigns on the harmful effects of drug addiction must be stepped up by NGOs, community and religious leaders, traditional rulers, among others. Relevant stakeholders must continue to enlighten the youth on the evils of drug addiction. It is imperative that the younger ones are taught the dangers that drug addiction pose to their health and future before they are exposed to peer influence in later years. This can be achieved if such is incorporated into school curriculum.
Also, the NDLEA and other similar law enforcement agencies must step up the clampdown on the production and illicit trafficking of banned substances. As long as these substances remain in circulation, the youths will always be tempted into consuming them. The campaign against drug abuse should also be taken to motor parks, as transporters and commercial motorcyclists are said to also indulge in intake of hard substances to get ‘high’, which put their lives and that of their passengers at risk. The state House of Assembly must rise to the occassion by coming up with bills that can help check the menace of drug abuse among youths in the state.
Given the enormity of the damage of drug addiction to mankind, no effort should be spared to curb its menacing effect on youth and the society at large. All hands must be on deck to fight drug abuse and addiction in Kwara.
