Gov. Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun has urged the youths, particularly children, to shun drug abuse and imbibe the spirit of godliness and good moral standards.
Oyetola made the plea during the celebration of the 2019 Children’s Day on Monday at Osogbo City Stadium.
The governor also appealed to parents to reflect in the upbringing of their children the ‘Omoluabi ethos’ cardinal to the Yoruba.
Oyetola, who was represented by Mr Wole Oyebamiji, the Secretary to the State Government, implored the children to prioritise their education and treasure their future above all other things.
The governor said the theme of the celebration, “Drug Abuse among Children: Addressing the Challenges,” was timely and apt.
According to him, all hands must be on deck to build a sane society in view of the damning statistics and reports on drug abuse among children.
“May I seize this opportunity to warn our children against hard drugs intake.
“Drugs are destroyers of health and killers of dreams to become what one desires to become in life.
“We are doing our best as an administration to give our children all-round education and the good life.
“I appeal to parents to reciprocate this gesture by bringing up their children and wards in the fear of God and engraining in them good upbringing and high moral standard.
“It is imperative to use this medium to educate and charge our children and all relevant stakeholders in the state on the menace of drug abuse which is bedeviling our society, and which is taking its toll on the welfare of a large population of children and youths within our society.
“The hydra-headed challenge of drug abuse by the youth is becoming highly worrisome.
“The devastating effect and threat of drug abuse to humanity cannot be over emphasised as it takes its toll on the physical, mental, emotional, physiological and social status of the user.
“Moreover, the magnitude of the effect of drug abuse by youths on the socio-economic and political stability and the attendant horrific criminal activities such as social violence, thuggery, cultism, armed robbery, rape, murder and suicides, are nerve-wrecking.
“Many reasons have been advanced for the abuse of drugs by our youths, they include escapism, peer influence, lack of parental care, unemployment, effect of the social media and internet exposure.
“The consequences of drug abuse are grave, we cannot pretend that all is well, so all hands must be on deck to tame the monster because we are gradually losing our youths and our future to drug abuse.
“Everyone must be vigilant and there is a need for massive sensitisation and education against drug abuse at all levels for optimum effect, “Oyetola said.
