The National Assembly has escalated its campaign against drug abuse and trafficking by emphasising the vital role of parents in the new initiative.
This call for parental involvement was made by the joint committee on Drugs and Narcotics during a one-day sensitization program organized in partnership with the National Association of Nigerian Drugs Monitoring (NANDRUM) yesterday.
During the event, themed “Parents’ Inclusion in the Fight Against Drug Abuse and Reckless Behaviors,” Senate President and National Assembly Chairman Godswill Akpabio, represented by Deputy Senate Leader Senator Lola Ashiru, stressed the importance of parental engagement in combating the drug crisis.
Akpabio remarked that addressing the epidemic of drug abuse and trafficking must begin at home, with parents taking the lead. “Involving parents in the fight against drug abuse allows us to tackle this issue at its roots, as those affected often come from various households before becoming addicts or traffickers on the streets,” he explained.
He further noted that the theme of the sensitization program is timely and essential for an effective response to the drug abuse crisis. “This fight is fundamentally about our future, requiring parents to be on the front lines as guiding influences in their children’s lives,” he said.
Akpabio urged all parents to embrace this responsibility with steadfast commitment, emphasizing that the greatest gift they can offer their children is not wealth, but rather the spirit of adventure, integrity, and courage. “Let us equip our children with the necessary tools to navigate life’s challenges and help them avoid the dangers of drug abuse,” he added.
In his remarks, Mallam Isa Garba, speaking on behalf of the Chairmen of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Drugs and Narcotics, noted that this sensitization program was a collaborative effort aimed at strengthening the fight against drug abuse.
