Foundation to engage youths on perils of drug abuse, social vices

The Healing Heart Foundation, an NGO, has announced plans to sensitise Nigerian youths through a conference on the inherent dangers of drug abuse and other social vices bedeviling the society.

Mrs Sophy Mbanisi, the President of the Foundation,  made this known in an interview with newsmen on Friday in Lagos.

The youth conference will have the theme: “Youths For The Future Power Of Focus”.

Mbanisi said that the conference would be a platform to engage the youths particularly the teenagers on good moral behaviours that could reshape their lives for brighter future.

She disclosed that the event which would be held on Sept. 22, would become an annual event that would cover those areas in Lagos State with predominant issues of drug abuse and other immoral acts.

She listed the areas of focus for the programme to include Isolo, Okota, Ilasa, Mushin and its environs, saying that no fewer than  500 students would be drawn from both government and private schools within the area to participate in the conference.

Speaking on the objective behind the programme, Mbanisi said the conference was aimed at raising awareness and sensitising  youths on the perils of cultism, drug abuse and other societal vices.

She added that the major objective for the programme was to inspire the youths to embrace education as the pathway to a brighter future.

She regretted that many youths did not know the implications of drug involvement, saying that it could affect someone’s mental, moral, financial and physical behaviour.

According to him, it is imperative to make youths understand the inherit implications of their action in abusing drugs.

“Our youths need stop abusing drugs and substances for the sake of their future and that of the country.

“Many youths did not know the adverse effects of prolonged drug abuse on their life and future.

“Drug abuse can ruin one’s life and make one useless for life.

“This transformative event will feature distinguished speakers from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry (CADAM), Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba and esteemed guests from across the country.

“It will serve as a platform to educate and engage youths on good moral behaviours that will prepare them for future leaders,” Mbanisi said.

Mbanisi lamented the level of violence attributed to the involvement of youths in the society.

She blamed the degree of insecurity, kidnapping, rape, violence and other social vices that were bedeviling the country on drug abuse.

She, therefore, advised the youth to shun drugs and crimes because they were the leaders of tomorrow.