Our society is polluted with drugs and substance abuse, and our dear town is no exemption. It is a known fact that drugs and substance abuse are the major causes of crimes in our society. The rate at which our town is being bastardized with these menace is greatly alarming and worrisome. Therefore, Ilorin has a fair share of this societal decadence.
In this view, so many youths indulging in this illicit act and its making them venture in heinous crime and this is terribly affecting our image, reputation, and what we stand for; (which is a state of scholars and Islamic propagation). This dirty behaviour needs to be curbed immediately. It is no longer a hidden secret that substance abuse contribute to the decline in productivity and promote at variance behavior of citizens of our dear town if not addressed now. Some of these people abusers of drugs suffer health problems, child abuse, domestic violence, serial killing, kidnapping, and terrorism etc. Also, these acts have had adverse effects on all facets of life, such as education. Finances, health, destroys families and damages brains. As we are aware that substance abuse has no respect for race, age group, intelligence level, social and economic status, or sex. Of course, it consumes and destroys anyone who dares to embrace it.
As a reputable town known for peaceful coexistence and harmony, we must define means to addressing the rampant of this mess in the Ilorin in order to get an improved productive and healthy citizens who will be useful to themselves and the society. We should bear in mind the negative consequences of this menace and must be sang into the ears of our youths. It is no doubt that this dirty act is the primary cause of any major crimes and must be nib in the bud. Some of the effects of substance abuse is not limited to the following;
i) MALFUNCTIONING BRAINS:
This is most likely to make those indulging in it to dare the devil in committing crimes
ii) THEFT AND ARMED ROBBERY;
Series of thefts and armed robbery cases being witnessed are closely connected with drugs and substance abuses.
iii) HEALTH;
These drug abusers are mostly fall sick and access health facilities more often than any other normal citizens and are less useful to society.
iv) REPUTATION DAMAGE;
These sets are likely to damage our town reputation. In the case of Abdulrahman Ballo VS Hafsoh Lawal. Thanks to the swift administration of the criminal justice system where the former was convicted by hanging in one of the most fastest cases delivered in Kwara State so far.
v) ACCIDENT;
A lot of substance abusers are mostly likely to cause accidents at home and outside. They can cause death when driving a car and can terminate innocent lives. We have witnessed where husband stabbed wife to death and vis versa.
In order to curb these negative tides, the religious leaders, agents of influence, opinion molders, council of Ulamas and Alfas, Ilorin Emirate Decendants Progress Union( IEDPU) etc must have to braze up to aggressively harper on this issue in their various program in other to reduce or eradicating it.
The state government has to develop policy in synergy with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Orientation Agency (NOA), which must be aggressive on their streets to streets enlightenment campaign to create awareness on the danger of these scourge.
Government policy must be made known to the citizens on bad effects and consequences of substance abuse and that any citizens caught will face the law.
There may be a need for drug testing exercises for some identified citizens’ easy referrals for treatment.
SECURITY MEASURES:
Adequate security measures must be put in place to identify citizens with traces of substance abuse, and adequate measures should be carried out to clean the society of the Illicit Act.
PARENTS AND GUIDANCE:
Must be alive to their responsibility by monitoring their wards and children from peer group influence and should report any strange behavior to the authorities when need arises.
In the light of the above, society accomplishes this responsibility by observing and reporting incidents or situations that present a threat to our dear referred town Ilorin, outsiders, and its assets.
Substance abuse is one of such threats that must be combatted in other for Ilorin to regain it peaceful and harmonious town which it’s known for.
B.I AROWONA,Cpo, Writes from Abuja via Bilalayomide@yahoo.com
