FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
The Edo State Government has urged youths in the state to shun drug abuse as the menace has a negative impact on their livelihoods.
The Edo State Commissioner for Youths and Humanitarian Affairs, Alhaji Zubairu Abubakar, made the appeal during a rally to sensitize youths on the dangers of drug abuse.
The Commissioner who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mrs. Aiyebeni Balogun, said the menace of drug abuse is pathetic as it has affected youths negatively.
Abubakar said , the rally was held as part of activities to mark the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse by the State Government, noting that the awareness was to demonstrate the commitment of the Edo State Government in checking the menace of drug abuse and called for more concerted efforts to curb the menace.
The commissioner urged youths in the state to “Maintain their sanity. Say no to cultism. Maintain discipline. Life is good; life is short. Say no to drugs, say no to crime, say no to drug abuse.”
According to him, “We are doing this awareness because of the Government’s concern for youths in Edo State and the nation in general. You see our youths on the street; some are running mad, some are being killed as a result of cultism and some are involved in cybercrime and some are also involved in drug abuse.
“The Ministry of Youths and Humanitarian Affairs is also concerned about the welfare and the lives of our youths and that is why we are carrying out this sensitization to mark International Day against Drug Abuse.”
The International Day Against Drug Abuse is a day set aside by the United Nations to create awareness to the teeming population on the inherent dangers of Drug Abuse.
