We Must Look At Drug Abuse As Security Issue – Gov Mbah

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah has stressed the need to view drug abuse as a security issue.

Mbah spoke  through the secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia yesterday at the MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Program Stakeholders Conference held at the International Conference Center, Enugu.

Mbah further stated that there was also  need  to look at  the issue  as a generational constraint towards growing a nation of viable young people.

Mbah described substance abuse as one the most pressing social and public challenges of our time.

He  commented the MTN Nigeria Foundation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, all the education institutions , civil society organizations, community leaders and all stakeholders  for their commitment to confronting  substance abuse.

The governor also stressed that  our responses must also evolve through innovation, collaboration, education and sustained commitment to this quest.

He further described substance abuse as  more than a health issue, adding that it   is a development issue, a security issue, an educational issue and a social issue.

The governor added that Its consequences extend beyond the individual to families, communities, institutions and the wider economy.

Mbah noted that as a government, they  recognize that the future of their  city depends significantly on the quality, productivity and well-being of their  young people.

Earlier in her address, Mrs Odunayo Sanya, the  Executive Director MTN Foundation stated that their  vision is  a Nigeria where no community or individual is left behind.

She added that  the  MTN ASAP which was started in  2019 was born  out of a deep desire to contribute to the reduction of  first-time drug abusers in terms of numbers.