War against drug abuse must start from homefront — Akpabio

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has urged parents to take more than a passing interest in the war against narcotics.

He made the appeal on Thursday at a one-day sensitisation programme organised by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Drugs and Narcotics in collaboration with the National Association of Nigerian Drugs Monitoring (NANDRUM).

The theme of the event was “Parents’ Inclusion in the Fight Against Drug Abuse and Reckless Behaviours.” The President of the Senate, who was represented by Deputy Senate Leader, Lola Ashiru, maintained that the epidemic of drug abuse and trafficking should be tackled right from the home front, with parents leading the crusade.

He said, “Getting parents involved in the fight against drug abuse is taking the battle to the basics 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 sensitisation programme on the dangers of drug abuse is very apt and necessary for an effective fight against the menace of drug abuse.

“The fight against drug 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,” he said.

In his remarks, on behalf of the chairmen of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Drugs and Narcotics, Mallam Isa Garba said the sensitisation programme was collaboratively organised to step up the fight against drug abuse.

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