The Ondo State Government is planning to extend drug abuse prevention programmes to schools and communities across its 18 local government areas as part of efforts to protect young people from substance misuse.
The initiative will be implemented in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and will focus on public awareness, early intervention, community engagement and access to support services.
The Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Youth and Social Inclusion, Henry Okunomo, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday following a meeting with the NDLEA state command.
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The meeting, led by the state commander, Folayemi Adeyemo Gabriel, explored areas of collaboration to address drug and substance abuse among young people and the wider population.
Under the proposed arrangement, Okunomo’s office will work with the agency to sustain awareness campaigns in schools, youth organisations, communities and other institutions across the state.
The government also plans to incorporate drug abuse prevention, awareness and referral services into the proposed Ondo State Youth Call Centre.
The centre is expected to provide a platform for young people to lodge complaints, seek information, offer feedback and access government opportunities and support services.
Okunomo described drug and substance abuse as a threat to the future of young people and the development of society, stressing the need for coordinated intervention.
He said his office was committed to working with relevant agencies, particularly the NDLEA, to ensure young people were “informed, protected and guided towards productive activities”.
The statement said the partnership reflected the Aiyedatiwa administration’s commitment to youth development, social inclusion and public safety.
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