Edo Govt Raises Alarm Over Rising Drug Abuse, Launches School Marathon
The Edo State Government has raised concern over the increasing prevalence of drug and substance abuse in the state, warning that the menace is destroying lives across different age groups.
The Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, raised the alarm on Saturday while flagging off the maiden edition of the Governor Monday Okpebholo/Buba Marwa “Mini-Marathon Race Against Drug Abuse” for secondary school students.
The event, organised by the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), was held under the theme, “Run for Health, Run for Life, Run Against Drug Abuse.”
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pius Alile, Idahosa said drug abuse should not be viewed solely as a problem affecting young people, stressing that people across different age groups were involved.
“Drug abuse has destroyed many lives, particularly in Edo State, where it has become rampant,” he said.
He added that the government would pursue an inclusive approach to tackling the menace, noting that drug abuse affects people in the middle class and prominent members of society as well.
Idahosa commended the NDLEA for organising the marathon and called for the initiative to be sustained and expanded, saying sports could provide an effective platform for sensitising young people about the dangers of substance abuse.
He said more resources should be committed to programmes aimed at combating drug abuse, describing the menace as harmful to individuals, families and the younger generation.
Earlier, the Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the fight against drug abuse should go beyond arrests and enforcement.
According to him, prevention efforts must also involve engaging young people through sports, education and empowerment programmes.
Ofoyeju said the marathon was designed to promote healthy lifestyles while identifying promising sporting talents at the grassroots.
He described the competition as the first of its kind organised by an NDLEA command in the country, adding that the agency hoped to use the event to encourage students to embrace a drug-free lifestyle.
More than 100 students from four public secondary schools participated in the competition.
At the end of the race, Ojie Victor, an SS3 student of Edokpolor Grammar School, emerged overall winner, while Bright Osemwingie and Chamberlain Miracle, both from the same school, finished as first and second runners-up respectively.
The three students were offered one-year full academic scholarships by the Edo State Government and decorated as War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Ambassadors for the state.
Ofoyeju charged the new ambassadors to take the anti-drug message to their schools, communities and social media platforms.
He urged them to encourage peers struggling with substance abuse to seek help and reject offers of illicit drugs.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Drug and Illicit Trafficking Control, Andrew Efe, said the state government would continue to support programmes aimed at preventing drug abuse and promoting healthier choices among young people.
The Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, raised the alarm on Saturday while flagging off the maiden edition of the Governor Monday Okpebholo/Buba Marwa “Mini-Marathon Race Against Drug Abuse” for secondary school students.
The event, organised by the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), was held under the theme, “Run for Health, Run for Life, Run Against Drug Abuse.”
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pius Alile, Idahosa said drug abuse should not be viewed solely as a problem affecting young people, stressing that people across different age groups were involved.
“Drug abuse has destroyed many lives, particularly in Edo State, where it has become rampant,” he said.
He added that the government would pursue an inclusive approach to tackling the menace, noting that drug abuse affects people in the middle class and prominent members of society as well.
Idahosa commended the NDLEA for organising the marathon and called for the initiative to be sustained and expanded, saying sports could provide an effective platform for sensitising young people about the dangers of substance abuse.
He said more resources should be committed to programmes aimed at combating drug abuse, describing the menace as harmful to individuals, families and the younger generation.
Earlier, the Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the fight against drug abuse should go beyond arrests and enforcement.
According to him, prevention efforts must also involve engaging young people through sports, education and empowerment programmes.
Ofoyeju said the marathon was designed to promote healthy lifestyles while identifying promising sporting talents at the grassroots.
He described the competition as the first of its kind organised by an NDLEA command in the country, adding that the agency hoped to use the event to encourage students to embrace a drug-free lifestyle.
More than 100 students from four public secondary schools participated in the competition.
At the end of the race, Ojie Victor, an SS3 student of Edokpolor Grammar School, emerged overall winner, while Bright Osemwingie and Chamberlain Miracle, both from the same school, finished as first and second runners-up respectively.
The three students were offered one-year full academic scholarships by the Edo State Government and decorated as War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Ambassadors for the state.
Ofoyeju charged the new ambassadors to take the anti-drug message to their schools, communities and social media platforms.
He urged them to encourage peers struggling with substance abuse to seek help and reject offers of illicit drugs.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Drug and Illicit Trafficking Control, Andrew Efe, said the state government would continue to support programmes aimed at preventing drug abuse and promoting healthier choices among young people.
