By Yahaya Idris, Asaba
The Delta State Government has warned parents and caregivers against neglecting their responsibility to monitor the activities, movements and associations of children and wards.
The warning was issued by the Director-General of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, during a programme on Big Heart 92.1FM in Asaba.
Oghenesivbe said inadequate parental supervision could leave young people vulnerable to peer pressure, illicit drug networks, criminal activities and other social vices.
He observed that the demands of modern employment had caused some parents to devote less attention to the company their children keep and changes in their behaviour.
He said parents should pay attention to unexplained increases in spending, new friendship circles, declining academic performance and unusual social activities.
“Get-rich-quick” tendencies, according to him, were also contributing to the recruitment of some youths into criminal enterprises.
The Bureau Chief expressed particular concern over reports indicating increased involvement of some young female adults in illicit drug peddling and retail distribution.
He warned that substance abuse did not only affect the health of individuals but could also damage education, productivity, family relationships and the economic prospects of young people.
Oghenesivbe appealed to affluent parents to avoid giving their children large amounts of disposable income without adequate monitoring.
He said such resources, when improperly supervised, could expose youths to negative peer influence and potentially facilitate access to psychoactive substances or involvement in criminal activities.
The official stressed that government could not fight substance abuse and criminality alone.
He called for stronger cooperation among parents, schools, religious bodies, traditional institutions, community leaders and security agencies.
He further disclosed that the state government may consider compulsory drug testing for students seeking admission into tertiary institutions as part of measures to address the rising concern over substance abuse.
According to him, drug testing could also be considered for people selected, promoted or nominated for certain leadership positions.
Oghenesivbe said the objective should not be punishment but prevention and protection of young people and society.
He said the state’s Drug-Free Delta Campaign had already recorded progress through collaboration with the NDLEA and establishment of WADA Clubs in schools.
The second phase of the campaign, he disclosed, is expected to begin on September 21.
He said the campaign would continue to educate young people about the health, social, security and economic consequences of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
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Oghenesivbe disclosed that the NDLEA Delta State Command had seized illicit drugs valued at more than N2 billion over the past 12 months.
He praised the agency for its enforcement and interdiction efforts but stressed that enforcement must be complemented by prevention, rehabilitation, parental supervision and community vigilance.