Lagos renews war against drug abuse in Ikorodu, other areas

The Lagos State Government has relaunched the crusade against drug abuse codenamed “LAGOS STATE KICKS AGAINST DRUG ABUSE” (LASKADA).

A statement said the move was influence by a viral video posted by one Naomi Wahab in which a woman was seen lamenting the damage Colorado had done to her son in the Eyita area of Ikorodu, Lagos.

The crusade, which kicked off with sensitisation of youths on the dangers of drug abuse, was led by the Commissioner, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, who visited the Baale of Eyita, Chief Memood Oyebajo, to intimate him with the plan of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to stamp out drug abuse from the community.

Ogunlende said, “The attention of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was caught by the viral video depicting the havoc being done by drug abuse to youths in Eyita; that is why we are here as a ministry to collaborate with you to put an end to this menace. Our youths are not only the leaders of tomorrow but our future that must not be left at the mercy of drug. We must do everything possible to rescue them now before it is too late.

“Ours is a listening Government. I must commend Naomi who posted the video as well as the youths in Eyita who have equally lent out their voices to this cause by speaking up. This is a positive attribute. You called us and we have come as the people you voted for to serve you. We have not come to arrest or punish anyone, but to find solution to this pandemic in a professional way through series of engagements with our youths.”

Chief Oyebajo, in his response, said the community “is a vibrant and well cultured one with law abiding people.”

“We have voiced out our stand against drug abuse through the video that emanated from one of us. We are ready to collaborate with the State Government to put an end to this evil,” he added.

The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, assured the community of government support in terms of teaching the youths skills that would help them to be profitably engaged and rehabilitating those who have become addicts.