Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah has stressed the need to view drug abuse as a security issue.
Mbah spoke through the secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia yesterday at the MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Program Stakeholders Conference held at the International Conference Center, Enugu.
Mbah further stated that there was also need to look at the issue as a generational constraint towards growing a nation of viable young people.
Mbah described substance abuse as one the most pressing social and public challenges of our time.
He commented the MTN Nigeria Foundation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, all the education institutions , civil society organizations, community leaders and all stakeholders for their commitment to confronting substance abuse.
The governor also stressed that our responses must also evolve through innovation, collaboration, education and sustained commitment to this quest.
He further described substance abuse as more than a health issue, adding that it is a development issue, a security issue, an educational issue and a social issue.
The governor added that Its consequences extend beyond the individual to families, communities, institutions and the wider economy.
Mbah noted that as a government, they recognize that the future of their city depends significantly on the quality, productivity and well-being of their young people.
Earlier in her address, Mrs Odunayo Sanya, the Executive Director MTN Foundation stated that their vision is a Nigeria where no community or individual is left behind.
She added that the MTN ASAP which was started in 2019 was born out of a deep desire to contribute to the reduction of first-time drug abusers in terms of numbers.
