Lawmaker, monarch caution youths against illicit drugs, crimes

Bimbo Olusanya

Majoriy Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Sanai Agunbiade has warned youths against involvement in illicit drugs and criminal activities in Nigeria.

Agunbiade, who represents Ikorodu Constituency 1, admonished the youths during the 7th Annual Constituency Stakeholders’ meeting in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

Speaking on the theme, “Increasing Wave of Drug Abuse, A Threat to Nation Building,” Agunbiade added that illicit drugs use is harmful to users. He noted that drugs abuse was fast becoming common among adults, especially the youth.

According to him, it has been discovered that drugs abuse has adverse effects on the safety and progress of the society.

The lawmaker stated the effects of illicit drugs use to include gang formation, cultism, armed robbery, rape, and other social disturbances.

He said: “Drug abuse has led some of the youths to eventually drop out of schools and end up on the streets as pick pockets, bag snatchers, and armed robbers.

“Drug abuse has also caused damage on their health.

“You will see some of them having complicated medical challenges like stroke, memory loss, brain damage, liver problems, among others.”

Ogunbiade, however, called on stakeholders, parents, teachers, religious and community leaders; celebrities and social media influencers, among others, to work with government for the common good of the society by saying, “No to Drug Abuse” and drug trafficking.

He urged the youths to be responsible knowing that the future of the country belongs to them. He added that involvement in drugs and crimes will derail them from assuming their responsibilities as leaders of tomorrow.

Chairman, Ikorodu West Local Council Developmental Area, Mr Kazeem Sulaimon, in his remarks, praised the efforts of the majority leader in developing Ikorodu community.

He asked parents to monitor their children’s movement and assist teachers to succeed in the fight against illicit drugs abuse.

A representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mr Isiaka Opeloyeru, urged parents and community leaders to collaborate in monitoring and educating the youths on the effect of drug abuse.

Opeloyeru noted that NDLEA was available to counsel as many communities’ youths as possible and appealed to them to call on the agency when such services are required.

He urged Ikorodu residents to support the government in stopping criminal activities in combatting illicit and drug abuse.

The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, His Royal Highness, Oba Kabiru Shotobi also asked parents to always check on their children’s friends to enable them to correct their wrong doings before such get out of hands.

The monarch stated that drugs use among youths were stimulants that trigger their involvement in criminal activities.

He said: “Drugs intake by youths is a major factor that trigger off all forms of criminal activities.

“Parents should endeavour to monitor their children and ensure that they don’t move with bad friend who can lure them into it.”