LAFIA- A NGO, Advocacy for Integrity and Rule of Law Initiative (AIRLIN) has inaugurated a 20-member committee to tackle drug abuse and other social vices among the youth population in Nasarawa State.
Speaking at the inauguration on Saturday in Lafia, Alhaji Muhammad Gamawa, National Chairman of the NGO, said that it was a non-political and non-religious group which was interested in addressing issues leading to youth restiveness in the country.
Gamawa lamented the high prevalence of drug abuse in the country, especially among the productive population.
He explained that the committee would help to educate the youths, especially the addicts in their respective areas, against indulging in drug abuse due to its mental health, social and economic implications.
“I urge the youths to engage themselves with meaningful and lawful activities in order not to be used by criminal and evil elements for selfish gains.
“The nefarious acts of kidnapping on-going across the country are being perpetrated by youths, the committee will challenge them to desist from it before they mar their future.
“Our group is working in collaboration with other organisations to complement government efforts towards addressing drug abuse, vices and criminalities in the country,” Gamawa said.
He called for more volunteers to join the campaign and create an enduring awareness among the youths, who are the future of the country.
Also, Alhaji Ibrahim Ibrahim, Nasarawa State Coordinator of the group, said that the committee was saddled with the responsibility of organising town hall meetings in their respective areas to orientate youths on the dangers of drug abuse.
Ibrahim said that the committee members were drawn from 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state.
Josephine Malla from Wamba LGA and Bako Garba from Toto LGA, who spoke on behalf of the committee members, said that most crimes were committed by persons under the influence of substances and hard drugs.
They promised to work seriously in their respective areas to tackle the menace of drug abuse and other social vices in the state. (NAN)
