The rising instances of drug abuse in Enugu State have been attributed to the neglect of children by both parents and the government, according to the Busaosowo Foundation (BF) based in Enugu.
During the “Collaborative Training Session On Enhancing Drug Abuse Prevention Efforts” held in Enugu State, Mr. Busaosowo Bisong, the executive director of the foundation, made this statement.
Supported by “Projects for Peace” in New York, USA, BF organized the training as part of the “Engage Not Disrupt” project, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The event was attended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), RED Foundation, Carmelites Prisoners Interest Organisation, David Folaranmi Foundation, Oganiru Youth Centre, Heart That Care for Better Health Organisation, Beautifiers House, Daniel Ukwu Leadership Foundation, Society for the Improvement of Rural People, among others.
In his presentation titled “Understanding the Drug Abuse Situation in Enugu,” Bisong, a native of Cross River State, highlighted unintentional parenting as a key factor aggravating the drug abuse situation in Enugu.
He explained that there is a concerning knowledge gap between parents and their children when it comes to drug abuse, and many parents lack the necessary knowledge to effectively communicate with their children about this issue.
According to Bisong, some parents become defensive and misunderstand the conversation about drug abuse, considering it an implication that their children may be experimenting with drugs.
He also drew attention to the increasing cases of mental health issues and cultism among young people, attributing them to drug and substance abuse. He cited the UNODC Drug Use Report of 2018, which identified 370,000 drug users in Enugu State, describing it as alarming.
Regarding the government’s response to the drug use challenge in the state, Bisong pointed out that the lack of a clear-cut policy or intervention by the state government has contributed to the problem’s escalation in Enugu.
“Rehabilitation services in the state are almost non-existent, and the government’s approach appears to be more reactive than proactive.
“There is currently no comprehensive policy in place in secondary schools to equip students with the skills to resist drug abuse, and the guidance and counseling departments in most public schools lack the necessary capabilities to effectively tackle this challenge,” he said.