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The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling drug abuse among young people through youth empowerment initiatives, policy reforms, and community engagement.
Speaking at the second Kwara State Stakeholders’ Summit on Drug Abuse, Prevention, and Control in Ilorin, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control, Hon. Aileru Olalekan Mukail, highlighted the administration’s efforts in providing alternatives to crime and substance abuse.
“The government has invested in transformative projects such as the Ilorin Innovation Hub, the Sugar Film Factory, the Garment Factory, and Kwapreneur, all designed to promote entrepreneurship, create jobs, and give young people meaningful engagements,” Aileru said.
To further address the crisis, he announced the introduction of a mandatory drug testing policy for tertiary institution students in the state.
According to him, early detection will help in timely intervention and rehabilitation. He also unveiled the State Drug Prevention Campus Ambassadors, a student-led initiative aimed at raising awareness and preventing substance abuse in schools.
The Chairman of the Kwara House Committee on Information and Youth, Rukayat Shittu, linked the rising cases of drug addiction to family breakdowns and inadequate parental supervision.
“We must prioritize responsible parenting if we want to raise a generation we can be proud of,” she stressed.
Traditional leaders at the event also lent their voices to the campaign. The Oloro of Oro Kingdom, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye Olufayo II, urged youths to stop idolizing celebrities who promote substance use.
“Success comes from discipline and hard work, not intoxication,” he warned.
Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Issa Lanre Onilu, called for a holistic approach to tackling the menace, emphasizing the need for intelligence-driven enforcement and stricter regulations.
Medical experts at the summit, including Prof. Issa Baba Awoye and Dr. Mahmoud Danjuma, identified poverty, peer pressure, and weak law enforcement as key factors fueling synthetic drug abuse. They called for increased public awareness and expanded access to rehabilitation services.
The summit, themed “Synthetic Drug Crisis: United for a Safer Kwara,” featured panel discussions, drama performances by students, and an award ceremony. It brought together government officials, traditional rulers, youth groups, students, and representatives from security agencies in a collective push against drug abuse.
