Oracle Business Limited Foundation (OBLF), a Makurdi based non-governmental organisation has flagged off a comprehensive approach to substance abuse prevention project tagged, OCASAP.
The project, according to Eunice Ortom, the chairman, OBLF, was set to achieve four key objectives, namely: to increase behaviour conducive to the prevention of substance abuse among young people; to create an enabling environment for behaviour change and programme sustainability in collaboration with other partners.
The others are to reduce stigma,discrimination and harassment against young people suspected to abusing substance and increase access to primary, secondary and tertiary substance abuse prevention services and ensure project sustainability.
She noted that drug and substance abuse was a complex socio-economic issue that required a multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral, comprehensive and integrated approach towards achieving a drug-free society and called on well meaning individuals and groups to join hands in the implementation of the programme of action against substance and alcohol.
The OBLF Chairman who is the wife of Samuel Ortom, the minister of state for trade and investment, maintained that community support was extremely important to prevent, treat, rehabilitate and accept those addicted to substances.
Orduen Abunku, Benue State commissioner for health and human services, represented by Joseph Kumba, assured that drug abuse among youths was being tackled headlong. He also announced that preventive mental healthcare centres were being activated in all the 23 local government areas of the state to be manned by psychiatrist nurses.
Barnes Agirigi
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
