The Gracehill Behavioural Health Services, a mental Health and substance abuse in Amuwo Odofin rehabilitation had a workshop on Teen Drug Abuse Awareness and Prevention program which was supported by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes.
The workshop was organised to empower participants to be adequately equipped to identify, understand, response and curb the rising cases of drugs use dependence among adolescents, provide early intervention services; create a comprehensive strategic prevention framework; Identify the Important Steps of early intervention.
During the workshop, one of the facilitators Dr. Yemisi Adebowale pointed out that one of the possible reasons adolescents take drugs is due to peer pressure and company.
She also pointed out the red flags to indicate possibly drug abuse by adolescents which includes unexplained need for money, Disappearing money and valuables, Problems with memory, Trouble with police, Frequent absences from school/work, Declining school/ work performance, Ignoring activities that used to be important to them, Mood swings, Explosive outburst, Changes in eating habits, Sudden changes of friends, Poor concentration,Withdrawing socially, and many more.
Mrs. Stella Amechi who represented the NDLEA pointed the need for people to support the curbing of drug use in the society.
According to her, people see the NDLEA as an agency solely for arresting culprit of drug dealers but are not also aware that the NDLEA also rehabilitates drugs users. she also admonishes that the society should also be responsible for the growth and success of every child.
Drug dealings is now becoming the menace to the society and we are also here to fight it to ensure that the world is drug free…
However, the individual has a role to play in curbing drug abuse through self determination one can control his/her addictive nature to drugs.
The family is not left out, parents should know the where about of their children and also the company they keep. The society too has a role to play as it is seen as one of the fastest ways an adolescent can involve in substance taking and abuse… Community leaders, teachers, church leaders and parents should be on the look out.
The National Project Officer of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga who was also present at the occasion, acknowledged the participants to take on the initiative of implementing what was learnt in their various communities and not wait for the NDLEA, UNODC or The Gracehill Behavioural Health Services to do that before they create the awareness as it is everyone’s responsibility to make the society drug free and create an enabling environment where adolescents can learn, grow and thrive.