The Senator representing Lagos East
Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Gbenga B. Ashafa has
expressed concern over the increased rate of drug abuse among youngsters and
advocated a community based approach as the best way to tackle the menace of
drug abuse in our country.

Ashafa made this call at the Magodo
ResidentS Association, Valley View Zone’s, sensitization march against drug
abuse in their community. The event which took place on Saturday, 26th August
2017, at the secretariat of the zone had in attendance the residents and
advocacy groups united in the fight against the scourge.
Other contributors at the event include the
chairman of the Valley View Zone residents association Mr. Olatunji Solarin and
the guest speaker Dr. Dokun Adedeji, the National coordinator of CADAM- Christ
Against Drug Abuse Ministry, who also spoke extensively on the prevalence of
drug abuse and ways to prevent it in the society.
In his words, the Senator Stated that “the
scope of drug abuse has now transcended beyond popular narcotics and alcohol,
youngsters have also found refuge in the abuse of over the counter and
prescription pills/medications at an alarming rate.”
Speaking further, Ashafa stated that “This
nagging concern inspired me to sponsor a motion on the floor of the senate on “Nigerians
involvement in illicit Global Drug Trade and increase in Domestic Abuse by
Nigerian Youths”
 and a“Bill for the amendment of the Nigerian Drug
Law Enforcement Agency Act”.
These legislative interventions seek to ensure
that we overcome the menace of drug abuse in Nigeria.”
He however expressed optimism in the
community-based effort in tackling drug abuse when he stated, “I am even more
optimistic in the fact that Charity begins at home. I therefore call on all
parents, guardians and caregivers to educate our children on the ills of drug
abuse. We must also pay closer attention to the habits being picked up by our
children and wards not only as a family but also as a community. We must be
ready to inform our neighbours of whatever strange mannerisms we notice in
each-others children because community effort is a more effective means of
preventing the spread and continuity of Drug Abuse.”

He concluded by stating that, “My advice
therefore is to remind us that in Africa, “it takes a whole community to train
a child”.