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All Hands Must Be On Deck To Combat Drug Abuse Menace Among Children In Africa – ILEAD
By Shalom Oludele
A Non-governmental organisation under the aegis of Institute For Leadership Education For African Democracy (ILEAD), based in Chicago, United States, has called on all hands to be on desk to counter the problem of drug abuse and addiction among school children in Africa.
A co-founder and Legal Researcher of ILEAD, Barrister Tolulope Oneya, made this call in a telephone conversation with our Reporter.
Oneya lamented that drug use and abuse among young people, especially school children, has become a pandemic that needs to be addressed urgently, noting that there are varying factors that have contributed to the use and abuse of drugs and other substances which includes: experimental curiosity, peer pressure, and lack of knowledge about the dangerous effects of abuse of drugs and other substances.
She said: “Education and reorientation are keys to solving the problem of drug use among children: creating awareness about the side effects and the consequences of addiction.
“The children need to understand the consequences of drug and abuse of other substances,” she added.
Oneya explained that ILEAD, as an organisation motivated by its passion and commitment to sustainable democracy in West Africa where every person no matter who or where you are from enjoys the dividend of democracy, there is need to call the consciousness of our children as the leaders of tomorrow that we look up to, and lend hands in all ways within our capacity to discourage drug abuse, for the children to understand its effect on them now and in the future.
She further said that to commemorate this year’s Children’s Day, ILEAD has earmarked an essay writing competition, which will engage participants to critically look at the issue of drug abuse and use of other substances as it affects their peers and community, and come up with ideas of how to tackle this menace.
“There are cash prizes for the first, second and third runners up of the essay competition,” she informed.
Oneya said ILEAD is collaborating with Relief For Women and Children Initiative and Mudhouse Realtors Ltd, and is open to sponsorship and collaborations.
She further explained that the essay writing competition will be an annual event to celebrate the Children’s Day.
“At every children’s day celebration, we will be exploring societal issues such as climate change, artificial intelligence, social justice, and global health as it affects our children,” she added.
To fight drug use among children, Oneya advised: “It’s a complex issue; parents must be present and must not shy away from having conversations about drug abuse.
“Parents have the ability to instill powerful values, create positive safety nets, and lessen the risk factors that children face every day.”
She called on children to resist peer pressure, as the dangers and adverse effects of drug use may be irreversible.
