Concerned Nation Builders Initiative (CNI), an NGO, called to the Lagos State Government on Saturday to construct a rehabilitation center in Epe Division and other divisional regions in the area.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Titilayo Adebanjo, the NGO’s Research and Documents Director, made the plea (NAN).
He was appalled by what he called the “gruesome consumption rate of hard drugs” among young people.
“The emerging rate at which this current generation of youths abuse drugs is becoming worisome and alarming,” he said.
“Once a young person is out of work, his only option for solace is to turn to hard drugs, which invariably have a negative impact on his mental health.”
“What is affecting the country today is the aftereffects of hard drug consumption by Nigerian youths.”
“What will the country’s future be in a situation where the youths are psychologically affected?”
He named Oke-Iposun, Cele, Papa, Iraye, and other gray areas in Epe Division as places where hard drug use is rampant among youths.
He also mentioned Makoko in Yaba, Ijora Badia, Amukoko, Ikorodu, Oshodi, Mushin, and Lagos Island.
He stated that youths in the aforementioned areas “have become a nuisance to society due to drug abuse.”
“Because their lives are out of balance, they require a correctional facility to reorient them.”
Adebanjo urged other non-governmental and civil society organizations to use seminars, workshops, and summits to educate young people about the dangers of drug abuse.
“The government cannot do it alone; it takes a collective effort to develop the country,” he said.