By Tajudeen Issa
It is not a surprise in the history touching lives most especially in students and the general populace in the society that Meljenstin Youth Empowerment Initiative will not be mentioned. The NGO has impacted positively the nooks and crannies of students within Amuwo-Odofin environs, Lagos State at large and other states in Nigeria. It is on this consistency basis that it organises another laudable and marvelous Youth conference entitled, ‘Say No To Drug Addiction And abuse’ on the 23rd of June 2022.
The organizer of the event who doubled the President and founder of Meljenstin Youth Empowerment Initiative NGO, who is fondly called humanitarian DUCHESS of impact for development and inspiration for the Youths and voice of the voiceless. Hon. Amb Chibuzo Patrick Osigwe (Buzopat), acknowledged and emphasized greatly the need to sensitise students on say no to drug abuse and addiction.
The event witnessed the attendance of who is who in the society such as IGP, CP, ACP, NDLEA, DPO and many reputable speakers. In her words, Hon. Amb Buzopat said that substance abuse continues to be a challenge that a lot of societies are battling and has become a global public health concern. Despite the horror stories of illnesses and deaths associated with substance abuse, the menace continues to prevail, especially among adolescents and youths. In Nigeria today, it is not uncommon to see adolescents engaging in the abuse of substances like alcohol cannabis, cocaine, heroin and other illicit drugs.
The Area commander Festac, ACP IGbafe Afegbai who partnered with Hon. Amb Buzopat swelled extensively on the use of drugs by our youths of nowadays. He maintained that Adolescents are vulnerable to the effects of substance use and are at increased risk of developing long-term consequences, such as mental health disorders, underachievement in school, a substance use disorder, and higher rates of addiction, if they regularly use alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, or other drugs
He explained that, brain damage among teens who abuse drugs includes brain shrinkage; impaired learning abilities; amnesia and memory problems; impaired reasoning, perception and intuition; and increased or decreased socialization.
The ACP IGbafe in his words told the hungry for knowledge students that the best they can do is hate whoever wants to introduce them to drugs, he told them that he had handled 5000 cases since he came to the headquarters, they are all drug related. He sighted a lot of true life experience and examples that made them scream especially when he told them that he has neither smoked nor drank alcohol since he was born. He told the students to avoid jail and prison because it puts an end to destiny because if you kill because of drug, you may never be who you are created to be after wards.
Another speaker from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Stella Amechi had an interactive section with the students. she dwelled extensively on Drug Abuse And It’s Consequences Among The Youths.
Mrs Ngozi Okonkwo spoke on ‘How Do We Reverse The Drift’, she was superb and told the students what to remember whenever they are tempted, she admonished parents, teachers and care givers to stop failing the youths under their care.
The third speaker, Chidinma Nwobi spoke on ‘Getting High The Legit Way, Why Adolescents Rebel And Crave Risky Behaviour’ . This topic made the crowd very happy as she took her time to tell them the reason behind their cravings and what they can replace it with.
The fourth speaker Mrs Salome Mbaso- Robert spoke on Emotional Intelligence, A SURE WAY TO ESCAPE DRUG ADDICTION. she made them know that Emotional intelligence is the capability of individuals to recognize their own emotions and those of others, to discern between different emotions (be it fear, anxiety, pity, love hate, anger etc) and label them appropriately, to use the emotional information to guide their thinking and behavior, to manage & adjust emotions to be able to adapt to the environment, to achieve one’s goals.
The fourth speaker, Barr. Immaculate Amaka Ugwunwa brought the CONNECTION BETWEEN GAMBLING ADDICTION AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE, she pointed out that both gambling and drug addiction share many commonalities as they both involve engaging in the behavior in greater frequency, duration, or quantity over time, despite adverse consequences
It was wonderful and there was no dull moment. Comedians of the Federal Republic was on hand, Edwin Papa B, R4C, Mc Prof Richard, Zucee Zagam, did justice with his music and Real one thrilled the crowd with his dance style.
The climax was the DMX group dance squad oh my God those people gave the crowd goosebumps with their breathe breaking stunts. The participants couldn’t ask for more, trust the Area commander was busy dolling out compensation cash to all entertainers from school dancers to all, it was so successful.
There were also enough foods, gala , sweets, peanuts from Health farms and products company, enough bottles from Branca Water. Conference materials were available courtesy of IGP USMAN, CP ALABI , ACP IGBAFE, DPO BALOGUN, BARR. FIDEL OSIGWE.
The participating schools are Kabe College, Jomal Comprehensive, Parachute College, Loral Int’l Sch, Athens Sec school, Festac Senior college, Festac Senior Grammar, Amuwo odofin Community snr sec school, Festac Girls snr sec school.
The Educational district Mrs Ekundayo, House of Reps contestant Barr. Dorothy, YWCA Mrs Adetuji and Other dignitaries too numerous to mention.
The Area commander ACP IGbafe brought the conference to an end with certificate from the IGP given to schools and to everyone who lifted a finger to make the day a complete success.
To cap it all, these are some strategies to prevent teen drug abuse:
Know your teen’s activities. Pay attention to your teen’s whereabouts.
Establish rules and consequences.
Know your teen’s friends.
Keep track of prescription drugs.
Provide support.
Set a good example.
With drug addiction, there also comes mental health issues. Both feed off of each other which is why drug addiction awareness is crucial which have been done by all the speakers. Drug addiction awareness is all about encouraging users and those affected to open up.
