Chief Ezechukwu Obonna, Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodinma on Narcotics and Illicit Drugs Monitoring, provided the guidance on Sunday at an educational program on drugs that he organized at the Ezinihitte Mbaise council areas of Imo in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation.
Obonna characterized youth drug usage as a hindrance to their ability to be productive and grow as individuals.
He expressed gratitude to the NDLEA and the Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation for their consideration of the young and said that the administration led by Uzodinma will be implementing additional youth-oriented programs.
He voiced concerns about Imo's development and prosperity, which is why the state's office on Narcotics and Illicit Drugs Monitoring was established.
He also counseled the young people to embrace learning digital skills and doing agriculture in order to survive.
"The government's goal in creating the Bureau of Narcotics and Illicit Drugs Monitoring is to rid Imo of drugs, which will help to make Imo a great state because young people are the development's catalysts and the future of tomorrow," he stated.
Speaking, Mr. Lamuwa Shehu, the Deputy State Commander for Operations and Training at Imo NDLEA, characterized drug misuse as a worldwide issue, emphasizing that young people who use illegal substances do not lead healthy lives or develop into productive adults.
"There are about 280 million drug users globally, 15 million drug abusers in Nigeria, and 6 million victims who are in critical need of assistance," he stated.
Additionally, Chiamaka Ugbede, the NDLEA's Principal Staff Officer for Treatment and Rehabilitation in Imo, exhorted the young people to abstain from drug usage in order to concentrate on using their time, talents, and resources to the fullest.
Chief Summers Nwokie, the founder of the Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation, stated that the program's goal was to wean young people off of illegal drug use.
In addition to thanking the NDLEA and the government for their partnership with his foundation to benefit young people, he made a commitment to support young people in the community who are interested in improving their lives and to help rehabilitate any young people who are prepared to give up drugs.