Stakeholders has asked the federal government of Nigeria to ensure a policy on implementation of the new mental health law is put in place to protect children who are prone to indulging in such activities from harm.
Speaking at a Six-day girl Power Summit on the theme, Break the Silence in Abuja, the guest speaker, a journalist and advocate against drugs and other harmful substances, Princess-Ekwi Ajide lamented that over time, laws are enacted in Nigeria without means of implementation in place, which she says, defeats the essence of such laws and for more effort to tackle drug use in the country.
According to her, the statistics of drug use are on the increase as children are beinv raised in environments where parents are users, and appealed for concerted efforts to catch them young to eliminate the continuous practice.
Mrs Ajide who is the founder, Balm for the Bruised Foundation, stressed that if the country is actually determined to fight drugs, policies on alcohol and cigarette sales and manufacturing must be addressed with utmost concern to reduce cases of mental health problems, particularly among teenagers.
Earlier, the Coordinator, Center for Anti-Prostitution and Empowerment, Kingsley Amanda had spoken on the significance of the summit, saying that it has shaped the lives of children in the community.
Some beneficiaries of the programme including Faith Ekwueme, Blessing Robert, Abraham Evelyn and Biraca-Agbenu Adams reeled out the benefits of the summit, and pledged to champion the course to achieve a safe and violent-free society.
The highlight is to catch them young while building their self-esteem against harmful substances and prostitution.
