The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has decried the rate of drug abuse amongst youths in the Niger Delta region.
Otuaro who condemned the alarming rate of addiction amongst youths made the remark when members of the Pentaglo Nigeria Limited, a drug abuse advocacy group, visited him in Abuja on Thursday.
He commended the group for their outstanding endeavor and urged all well-meaning persons to lend their voices against what he described as a serious problem ailing youths in the oil-rich region.
While stating that the rehabilitation and reintegration of juvenile delinquents is one of the primary goals of the PAP, Otuaro lauded the group for its mission of spreading awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
He added that the groupโs initiative is exactly whatโs needed in these times, adding that youths are becoming trapped in the consumption of cocaine, heroin, Indian hemp, Tramadol, and other illegal substances that are harmful to their health.
The PAP boss warned that unless immediate action is taken, drug abuse which he said is quickly spreading among young people, would continue to ruin the lives of “our children, who hold the key to the future of our beloved country Nigeria and region.”
He assured the group that his office will support them in their effort to eliminate the juvenile drug culture, which has led to many of the youths losing their minds and their sense of purpose in life, as well as making majority of them suffer complicated mental health issues.
On his part, the coordinator of the group, Mr. Seisingha Pondi, bemoaned the fast rising rate of drug use among young people in the Niger Delta.
Pondai further sought partnership with Amnesty Office to set up a rehabilitation program that will aid in the rehabilitation young drug addicts and reintegrate them back to society.
