Busaosowo Foundation (BF), an Enugu-based foundation and others including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and different NGOs such as RED Foundation, Carmelites Prisoners Interest Organisation, David Folaranmi Foundation, and Oganiru Youth Centre are advocating that parents should play more intentional roles in curtailing drug abuse among children.

They blamed the rising cases of drug abuse in Enugu State on parental and government neglect of children.

The Executive Director of Busaosowo Foundation, Busaosowo Bisong, stated this during the Collaborative Training Session On Enhancing Drug Abuse Prevention Efforts.

Other participants at the discourse are Heart That Care for Better Health Organisation, Beautifiers House, Daniel Ukwu Leadership Foundation, and Society for the Improvement of Rural People.

Presenting the topic: “Understanding the Drug Abuse Situation in Enugu”, Bisong said one of the key factors exacerbating the drug abuse situation in Enugu was unintentional parenting.

He said there was a worrisome knowledge gap between parents and their children regarding drug abuse, adding that many parents in the state lacked sufficient knowledge to engage in effective communication with their children on the issue.

According to him, some parents, when confronted with the topic of drug abuse, become defensive, misunderstanding the conversation as an implication that their children may be experimenting with drugs.

He also pointed out the rising cases of mental health issues and cultism among young people attributed to drug and substance abuse while describing UNODC Drug Use Report of 2018, with Enugu State having 370,000 drug users, as alarming.

Regarding the government’s response to the drug use challenge in the state, Bisong noted that the absence of a clear-cut policy or intervention by the state government to address led to its increase in Enugu.

“Rehabilitation services in the state are nearly non-existent, and the government’s approach appears to be more reactive than proactive.

“There is currently no comprehensive policy in place within secondary schools to prepare students to resist drug abuse and the guidance.

“The counseling departments in most public schools lack the necessary capacity to effectively address this challenge,” he said.

Bisong said the event aimed to create a platform for civil society organizations working in drug prevention to engage and collectively develop effective strategies to address the challenge of drug abuse in Enugu State through collaborations.

He explained that during the training session, participants had the opportunity to share their field experiences, network, and learn new strategies for implementing interventions.

“By working together with various stakeholders, we are trying to create a society free from the devastating effects of drug abuse and ensure a brighter future for all,” he added.

The Assistant State Commander, NDLEA, Enugu, Ome Eyeuche, Enugu, emphasized the importance of civil society organizations involved in drug prevention as they understood the risk factors specific to their communities.

“This understanding is crucial in determining the most appropriate interventions and NDLEA expresses openness to collaboration to combat drug use and acknowledged the positive impact of such meaningful conversations on preventive efforts,” Eyeuche said.

He commended BF for its commitment to facilitating meaningful discussions on drug prevention in the state.

BF is a faith-based non-profit organization that identifies and responds to the challenges faced by youths, families, and national development. Its focus areas include drug abuse prevention among young people, education for rural children, disability rights advocacy, and youth empowerment.

The foundation uses the “Engage, Not Disrupt Project” to empower young individuals with essential life, social, and vocational skills, equipping them to navigate daily challenges without resorting to drugs or violence.

Source: The Eagle Online