Entertainment Industry Players Are Bad Influences On Drug Abuse – Security Expert

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

A security expert, Dr. Bone Efoziem, CEO Strict Guards Security, has stated that some major players in the entertainment industry comprising musicians and Nollywood artistes have impacted negatively on the youths over the use and abuse of drugs in Nigeria.

P.M.EXPRESS reports as stated by Dr. Efoziem this during the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria event to mark this year’s fight against drugs in Lagos.

He said that it would be difficult for a society to have a future without the younger generation, adding that the menace of drug abuse needed to be tackled as it was affecting the youths more. He noted that some youths see the musicians and Nollywood artistes as role models and would like to become and act like them. But regrettably that what they get sometimes from the entertainment personalities was how to take substances and illicit drugs which had affected them negatively.

Dr. Efoziem said that the issue of drug abuse needed to be addressed as it concerns everyone.

“Drug abuse is all about any urge to use a drug not minding the consequences, therefore, addiction makes it difficult for you to resist. There is a need to look at the root cause of addiction which is abuse. Without abuse, there can’t be an addiction” he said.

He urged parents to always check on their children; the people they associate with and their behavioural pattern both at home and outside. “There is no vacuum in life, any vacuum created must be occupied by something” he warned.

Venerable Adegoke Agara, Dean AVMCC Anglican Cathedral, who was a guest lecturer at the event, said that religious organizations should not leave the war against drug abuse and human trafficking to the government and the media alone, but should use the pulpits to preach on the evil. He added that the issue of drug abuse was becoming too worrisome as the scourge was entering into secondary and primary school levels.
“We need to make people know that drug is dangerous and they should not succumb to peer pressures as a lot of destinies had been destroyed because of this. If there is a problem in a place, God does not come down to solve the problem but puts the burden on people who will act on it which is what we are doing now. I pray that we act on whatever we discuss here today.
“Human trafficking is also modern-day slavery and I pray that God will see us through. Drug abuse is taking illegal substances that cause addiction and loss of consciousness. An average child has the tendency of going out and getting influenced with drugs but it takes a trained child to desist from it.
“The theme of today’s seminar is “Drugs are addictive, escaping is hard, don’t start” which is why we should not go into it. Churches should be involved in educating people not to go into it at all” he said

The President of CRAN, Mr. Sunday Odita, said that the event was a seed which CRAN was sowing to stop the menace of drug abuse.
“We deemed it fit to kick start this campaign to enlighten people being deceived into drugs and human trafficking.
“How long are we going to continue to say that the menace of drug abuse is not our concern, what happens when our children become victims? Everyone has to come together so that we can talk about how we can at least, reduce drug abuse.”
“The challenge we however, have in reporting cases of drug abuse and human trafficking is that victims shy away from sharing their stories because of the stigma” he said.
He urged members of the public to speak up whenever they find themselves in a critical situation like drug abuse, adding that it was cheaper to prevent addiction than to cure.