Youth ministry, VGADA rehab centre partner on drug abuse, treatment

The Federal Ministry of Youth Development is prepared to partner with Vanguard Against Drug Abuse (VGADA), to raise awareness against drug abuse.

It is also prepared to rehabilitate and provide skills for youths affected by substance abuse.

Mr Ayodele Olawande, Minister of State for Youth Development, made the pledge on Thursday in Abuja when he received Dr Hope Omeiza, Executive Director of VGADA detox centre.

The News Agency Of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the VGADA detox center, a rehabilitation centre in Abuja, is a leading provider of addiction treatment and recovery services in Nigeria.

Olawande noted, with appreciation, the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying that it would lift Nigerians in all spheres and make life meaningful for all.

He emphasised the need to engage those at the grassroots, adding that they were the informal people who needed the good message of the campaign.

“There is also need to enlighten the parents, especially the mothers at the grassroots, so as to help educate children and youths on drug abuse and illicit trafficking,” he added.

He said that the ministry had been to 19 states and many local governments to campaign against dangers of drugs, substance abuse and illicit trafficking.

“From our experience, we have two different types of young people today – the formal and the informal.

“The formal people know and are aware of the dangers of these drugs, but the informal are at the grassroots level.

“We are not engaging the informal people and that is why illicit drug use has been spreading widely to the towns, the villages, and to the grassroots.

“This is the reason you’ll see me in every community engaging with the stakeholders, the women especially.

“We believe that everything begins from the home; with the mothers talking to their children, it will help curtail the menace to the barest minimum,” he said.

Olawande said that the Tinubu administration was doing all it could to ensure that issues relating to illicit drugs were resolved to the barest minimum.

He said that the ministry would continue to educate and enlighten the youths and children to make them better patriots, promote peace and enhance unity in the country.

“We have 774 local governments. We are planning to hit at least 500 so that we will bring the government to the doorstep of the people.

“This will help a lot. People need to see and touch the government in every aspect. It is not everything that is about money”, he said.

Earlier, Omeiza had painted a grim picture of the drug situation in Nigeria, especially as it affects the youth population.

Omeiza stressed the urgent need for all stakeholders, at all levels, to strengthen partnership with necessary rganisations, especially VGADA.

“Such partnership will curb the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, especially since there is a strong nexus between drug abuse and security challenges facing the country.

“We have a programme coming up on June 28 and it is for the youth.

“The event will address the pressing issues of drug abuse, mental health challenges and their impact on the future of Nigerian youth,” he said