In a bid to stem the rising tide of substance abuse and its attendant social vices, the Delta State government has launched a comprehensive initiative to ensure a “Drug-Free Delta.”
The Director-General of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, told Arise News on Saturday that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is committed to tackling the menace head-on.
According to Dr. Oghenesivbe, the governor has been working tirelessly to ensure that Delta State is free from illicit drug trade through collaborative efforts with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security agencies.
“We are getting ready for the second phase of our Drug-Free Delta sensitization campaigns, which will cover 58 secondary schools and tertiary institutions across the three senatorial districts,” he said.
The state government is also constructing rehabilitation centers in Kwale and Agbor, where victims of substance abuse will receive counseling, skills training, and support.
“The Kwale and Agbor rehabilitation and counseling centers will soon be operational. Plans are in top gear for the completion of the two centers for both male and female victims of substance abuse,” Dr Oghenesivbe revealed.
In addition to these initiatives, Delta State government is considering introducing mandatory drug testing for students seeking admission into tertiary institutions in the state. This move is aimed at discouraging youths from indulging in illicit drugs and substance abuse.
Dr. Oghenesivbe emphasized the importance of good parenting in preventing substance abuse, urging parents to monitor their children’s peer groups and avoid over-pampering. He also appealed to government agencies responsible for music censorship to ensure that lyrics and contents are free from negative messages that promote substance abuse.
The Delta State government has also garnered support from traditional rulers, with some royal fathers inaugurating sensitization campaign committees in their domains. The government is encouraging other royal fathers, local government council chairmen and faith-based organisations to emulate this example and collaborate with the state government in the area of sensitization campaigns.
The ultimate goal, Dr. Oghenesivbe said, is to achieve zero tolerance for substance abuse in Delta State. “We are committed to rehabilitating and reintegrating victims of substance abuse into society, providing them with necessary skills and support,” he said.
With these initiatives, Delta State is poised to become a model for other states in the country in the fight against substance abuse.
