The National Assembly has sought the inclusion of parents in the war against drug abuse and trafficking as the best way to eradicate the menaces in the country.
The appeal came on Thursday from its joint Committee on Drugs and Narcotics during a one-day sensitization programme organised in collaboration with the National Association of Nigerian Drugs Monitoring, NANDRUM, held on Thursday in Abuja.
In his speech at the event themed: “Parents Inclusion in the Fight Against Drug Abuse and Reckless Behaviours”, the President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said the involvement of parents in the fight has become very necessary and critical.
Akpabio, who was represented by the Deputy Leader of the Senate, Lola Ashiru, said the epidemic of drug abuse and trafficking, should be tackled right from the home front led by parents.
“Getting parents involved in the fight against drug abuse is taking the battle to the basis and tackling the menace right from the home front since those indulging in it, come from different homes before hitting the streets as drug addicts or traffickers.
“The theme of today’s sensitization programme on the dangers of drug abuse is very apt and very necessary for an effective fight against the menace of drug abuse.
“The fight against drug abuse is indeed, a fight for our posterity requiring parents to be on the front lines being the guiding force in their children’s lives.
“I urge all parents to take up this mantle of responsibility with unwavering determination since the greatest gift any parent can give to children is not riches but the spirit of adventure, the virtue of integrity and the gift of courage.
“Let us equip our children with the required tools they need to navigate life’s challenges without falling victim to the perils of drug abuse,” he said.
In his remarks, on behalf of the chairmen, Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Mallam Isa Garba, said the sensitization programme was collaboratively organized to step up the fight against drug abuse.