Landmark University

40TH LUCRID WEBINAR ADVOCATES WAR AGAINST DRUG ADDICTION

Expert has described drug addiction in youth as a menace that must be urgently nipped in the bud, noting the rapid increase in the number of young people taking to drugs and its devastating effect on their physical and mental well-being. Dr. Leke Olaoye made this advocacy at the 40th LUCRID Webinar of Landmark University when he examined both the medical and spiritual implications of drug addiction. While defining drug addiction as a chronic brain disease that compels an individual to use a substance regardless of its negative consequences, Dr. Olaoye noted that the prevalence of 20-40% and 20.9% of drug abuse has been reported among students of secondary and tertiary institutions respectively. According to him, factors contributing to youth drug addiction include peer pressure, trauma, family history of substance abuse, and lack of parental guidance among others. He noted that drug addiction has numerous negative consequences, such as impaired cognitive development, academic decline, health problems, and social and emotional difficulties. He added that prevention efforts, education, early intervention, and access to treatment and support services are crucial in addressing youth drug addiction and promoting healthier lifestyles. In anticipation of a drug-free society, Dr Olaoye noted that preventing drug addiction is better than managing it, noting that it does not guarantee a complete recovery from its effects. He, therefore, called for concerted efforts of parents, teachers, institutions, and government amongst others towards preventing young people from drug addiction.

In her remarks, Vice-Chancellor Professor Charity Aremu had earlier lamented the devastating impact of drug addiction on the youth population, naming 35% as being affected. While emphasizing drug addiction's spiritual and medical implications, she said that drug does not only destroy the individual physically, but it also takes them to hell disguised as heaven because many people indulge in drug despite their awareness of the harmful effects. She tasked participants who were mostly staff and students of the University to do a self-examination in order to prevent addiction and abuse of any substance. She used the opportunity to reiterate the stand of the University on drug intake. She said Landmark University is at the vanguard of the war against drug addiction toward promoting a drug-free society. She expressed optimism that the webinar would be a catalyst for a change in the mindset of the young ones to resist drug intake.

While welcoming participants, the Registrar, Mr Olushola Oyinloye implored them to make the most of the webinar as it was apt in the effort of the University towards social reengineering of the youth.

The Director of the University-wide Courses, Dr Abimbola Oluyori who was the host, appreciated the management for their support and the participants for attending the life-changing webinar.

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