As part of efforts to rid Ogun State of drug abuse and addiction, a Drug Control Committee has been inaugurated, to fight the prevalence of drug and substance abuse among children, youths and adults.

The Committee has representatives from Ministries of Information and Strategy, Health, Education, Science and Technology, Women Affairs and Social Development,  Youth and Sports, Transportation, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, Non-Governmental Organisations and Religious Bodies, among others.

Inaugurating the Committee in Abeokuta, Wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun said it was essential to curb the alarming prevalence in the use of dangerous narcotics and psychotropic substances among young people.

          Mrs. Abiodun, who is also the Chairperson of the Committee and Ambassador of War Against Drug Abuse in the State said, "we are taking a step to actualise many of the solutions proposed in the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) 2021–2025, which will be rolled out strategically very soon”.

The first lady pointed out that every member of the Committee plays an integral role in achieving the Plan, saying its success would strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)–3.

She urged the members to handle their jobs with utmost sense of responsibility, noting that the strategic positioning of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) they represent had put them in a vantage position as their recommendations would be invaluable.

In her address, the NDLEA Commander, Ogun State Command, Mrs. Archie-Abia Ibinabo highlighted the strategic pillars to adopt in addressing drug issues in the State, which were drug supply reduction, drug demand reduction, access to controlled medicines for medical and scientific purposes, as well as governance and coordination.

In their responses and deliberations, members of the Committee unanimously pledged their cooperation towards achieving the set goals while bringing their experiences and expertise to bear.