Drugs Abuse And It Menace In Some Regions Of The Country -By Sunday Ikpang

As we celebrate some young people of great achievement both in local and international levels, in most regions of the country; of their great achievement, like investment, great inventions, great entertainment spirit etc. Let’s not forget that in these same region; Bukola Elemide popularly known Asa from Itoko Abeokuta Ogun State, one of the wonderful musician this country had ever produces whom song had touched many life. Teniola Apata from Ekiti state also known as Teni, that same area David Adediji Adeleke from Ogun state, which stage name is Davido is from, that same place Debanj-Oladapo Daniel Onyebanjo from Shagamu Ogun state, that state or local government or region innocent Ujah Idibia alias Tuface or 2baba-Idoma Benue state, that same place Sunday Nneji from Ishibori-Ogoja, Cross-River state, known as Sunny Nneji, that same region Mercy Nnenda Chinwo from Rivers state known as Mercy Chinwo, what about Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu from Ebonyi State also called Sinach, Nathaniel Bassey-pastor Nathaniel Bassey, Ikot Ofon Ikon, Uyo Akwa-Ibom state, GUC- Gabriel Ugochukwu Christopher from Rivers State, frank Edward Ugochukwu from Enugu south, Enugu state, Judikay-Judith Kanayo from Osimili Asaba-Delta state.

What about E-ben, Emmanuel Benjamin from Lagos state, Pereye Odede from Isampour Ekeremor, Bayelsa state, that same region our great female and male footballers (both the senior and junior teams) are from. That same region young ministers, senators, commissioners etc. are celebrated from; they are chronic drugs addict, they are youths with the issue of psychoactive drugs which had landed many in a mental rehabilitation home, and some are roaming the street totally out of control. The issue of drugs abuse can not be overemphasize, a lot of youths future and aspiration had been destroy as a result of drug abuse. And what pains me most is these young people, are full of potentials like any other person.

The situation of drugs abuse is a serious problem, which is not to be left into the hands of government alone. The government is trying its own possible best, to combat this horrible practice that is bastardizing the destiny of our beloved country. They say children are the future generation, while the youths are the next generation, if the destiny of the youths is tampered with then the destiny of that nation is at stake.

NDLEA-national drugs law enforcement agency and other law enforcement agencies, are trying their possible best, to wrestle with this gigantic enemy of the nation and life. Whether we believe it or not, from the north to the south from east to west, psychoactive substances and drugs is a trigger, to some social vices practice in various region of this country. Cocaine, heroine, marijuana, codeine, hard drugs and substances of difference kinds and types are carefully parading the market places; as access to these drugs is so easy, and, most time these drugs are being marketed by some drugs vendors; both registered and unregistered patent medicine store and while other hard drugs like Indian hemps or marijuana and cocaine or codeine are introduce in public corners, and bunks, and junctions and joints.

Drug abuse had frustrate a lot of our youths ambition, making it too sad to say; when these young once are suppose to be contributing better things into the society. The menace of robbery and kidnapping, cultism and all kinds of social vices, is mostly instigated by drugs abuse. These criminals take hard drugs to make them, more harden and merciless in their operations, and sometimes these hard substances is taken in other to performed heavy duty jobs and to also perform sexual activity more effectively and as a result of this the cases of rape is on the increase here. Most of the customers of these psychoactive drugs entrepreneurs are sometimes, responsible looking adults in their 20s 30s 40s and 50s years of age and also teenagers; who are already drugs addicts. And this is encouraging this young people, who actually sold these drugs on commission in public for their bosses, to be more committed in their evil enterprise.

If the government and the stake holders from various, regions and community in our various states, does not put their hands on deck to combats these disease which is eating deep; there will be massive explosion of psychiatric cases in an uncontrollable measure, especially in Ishibori community-T junction-Ogoja town, in Ogoja local government area of cross-river state. Cases of death, fainting and psycho traumatic experiences had been seen and reported; as a result of taking these hard drugs and substances among the youths. I may not be able to mention other regions of the country, that need proper attention towards this issue, but, this region I had mention, need rapid response from the federal or state government, if not the case here will be a sorry case in the near future.

The case of drugs abuse and marketing it in public is an understatement here, where young boys and girls are now marketing these hard substances and drugs in public and responsible and rascal looking persons are patronizing this with opened arms. And this had stopped these young men and women from going to school and involving themselves in meaningful activities. I want to alert the government parasetters, private sectors and public sectors, traditional rulers and community stake holders, to rise against drugs abuse in these region, specifically where I had mentioned.

And also parents and guidance should be involved in this fight, to monitor and enact proper discipline and caution to their children.

Sunday Ikpang is a talented writer. And can reach with this E-mail: ikpangsunday@gmail.com