Drug abuse: Schools, security agencies take campaign to Lagos communities

As part of its contributions to rid Nigeria out of drug abuse, particularly among youths, Lagooz Schools have partnered with the police, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) to enlighten people at the grassroots on why they should steer clear of hard drugs.

The students and their teachers and some parents, community leaders as well as government security officials went round many places in Agege, Lagos, to campaign against the rampant cases of drug abuse in the society.

They carried placards with various inscriptions such as ‘Say no to drugs’, ‘Walking away from drugs means moving towards a healthier and brighter future’ among others.

Speaking about the rally tagged: ‘Walk against drug abuse’, chairman of Lagoz Schools, who is also the national president of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Yomi Otubela, said the school embarked on the campaign and counselling of victims as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to have a healthier and drug-free society.

He said the school adopted the grassroots campaign so as to take the message to the people in their communities.

Otubela, in a statement, noted that the manner in which young ones, including school children are indulging in drug abuse in the country is alarming and something has to be done to address the social ill.

He added that cases of drug abuse, especially among children and youths in the country are high and every person, including parents, teachers, religion and community leaders, the society, as well as government at all levels have a role to play to address the menace.

Otubela said war against the vice could easily be won only when stakeholders involved play their roles well.

He said governments in particular have more roles to play, adding that they should more alive by coming up with policies that will effectively tackle and prevent the menace.

He said participants at the rally found out that peer influence, lack of proper parenting, undue exposure to movies featuring free consumption of hard drugs, lack of education, among others were major factors leading many to drug abuse in the society.

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