VGADA boss tasks parents to be vigilant on children against drug abuse

Dr. Hope Abraham Omeiza, National Co-ordinator, Vanguard Against Drug Abuse (VGADA), has tasked parents to be weary of their children at all time against the prevailing drug abuse which is on the increase among the youths.

He emphasized that drug abuse was more prevalent and closer to us than ever thought, while advocating that everyone must begin to talk about the menace.

Dr. Omeiza stated this at the Annual United Baptist Conference held at Promised land Baptist Church, Auta Balefi, Nasarawa State on Saturday, where he commended churches for now including drug abuse topics in their programmes.

The speaker, who discussed the effects of drug abuse revealed how he was introduced into drugs by a church member at the age of 12, noted that he does not treat lightly invitations from churches and other religious bodies to talk on the topic.

“This is undeniably key in the fight against drug abuse if we must win because of the teeming population of youths in the church,” he said.

Furthermore, aside from discussing the effects, he also defined drugs and drug abuse, and touched on early signs parents should notice in a child/ward who had just started to indulge in it.

“Some of these signs are detachment, change of sleep pattern, change of feeding pattern, loss of pleasure with previously pleasurable activities, flunking classes, change of friend circle among others.

“On the issue of drug abuse among women and girls, some of the reasons that complicated drug abuse in this group are: stigmatization, higher prevalence of mental illness in females, differential socio-economic status, female monthly menstrual circle, and the relatively poorer health seeking behaviour among the female folks.

“The term telescoping is the time from which an individual first encountered the drug to when the individual is suffering from the consequences of drugs and requires help. This has also been shown by studies that telescoping is shorter in females than in their males counterparts.

“I am emphasizing that drug abuse is more prevalent and closer to us than we ever thought, this is why I am advocating that everyone must begin to talk,” he expressed.

Meanwhile, to end the session, questions were taken from over 20 youths, where some were obviously seen to have been abusing drugs and seeking ways to help them quit.

Also, youths representatives and pastors of the church took turn to express their gratitude to Dr. Hope for making it down and equally commended VGADA for the great work they are embarking, while prayers were also made to prosper this cause.