Ogbomoso First Community Initiative, O’First group, a socio- cultural organization and National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies today organized a sensitization rally to commemorate year 2021 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
Apart from moving round the town, with secondary school students, Youth Corpers, market women and others. they also distribute leaflets and other materials which explains the effect of drug menace in the society
Recalled that Ogbomoso First Community Initiative in March commissioned the first Behavioural Action Care Centre in Africa with modern facilies and qualified personel for effective operation and smooth running of the centre.
Speaking on the essence of the rally , President, O’first group, Barrister Segun Adekunle said the group was concerned with the spate of drug abuse and was determined to battle the scourge to a stall.
“The information made available to us by NDLEA on substance demand and abuse which cut across all the age groups and sexes made us to understand clearly the evil that is ravaging our society, especially the youths.Some of the negative effect of drug abuse on youths include low academic performance,mood swing, violence,health problems, risky sexual behavior unwanted pregnancy m, accident and even death”
Adekunle who was represented by
Engr Paul Oyekola a member of BoT of the group said the devastating effect of drug abuse prompted the O’first to take the responsibility of ridding Ogbomoso and environs of substance abuse.
“This prompted us to take various need steps especially to enlighten the people on the effect of substance abuse in our society and support the fight being propagated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime(UNODC) and the Federal Government of Nigeria through NDLEA”Adekunle added.
Prince Kola Oyadiran, cordinator of the Behavioural action care centre in his remark said several cases have been treated since the establishment of the centre and they are moving to secondary schools and youth gatherings to enlighten the younger generations about the need to avoid drugs and implications of its usage.
On his part, Director,NDLEA, Ogbomoso, Abubakar Sanusi, Ogbomoso while commending O’first for it’s usual initiative in giving back to the society especially on the fight against drug Abuse regretted that Marijuana usage was higher among men.
Sanusi who also disclosed that a number of drug addicts suffered mental health problems, cautioned those in the habit to desist in their own interest.
He disclosed that the agency had arrested cocaine , heroine peddlers
at joints and motor parks and have transferred them to headquarters
Some of the market women and members of the public commended O’First for their genuine passion for ogbomoso and wish them well in their endeavours
