John Nwaigwe
Substance Abuse: Senator Austin Akobundu to Engage NDLEA, NAFDAC, NOA, Others to Tackle Menace among Youths
…Condoles with Isiama Afaraukwu community in Umuahia over murder of woman and her twin children
Following the prevalence of substance abuse and its destructive effects on youths, the Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Senator Austin Akobundu has pledged to actively engage the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Orientation Agency (NOA), security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and other critical stakeholders in a bid to effectively tackle the menace among youths of Abia Central Senatorial District.
The Senator stated this while reacting to the heinous multiple murder of a woman and her twin children allegedly by her brother who was believed to be battling mental challenges due to substance abuse in Isiama Afaraukwu, Umuahia North LGA of the state.
The multiple murder which occurred last week left the community in shock and, pained by it, Akobundudu has taken steps to curb the abuse of substance among youths by working to engage relevant government agencies and stakeholders on the issue.
He condoled with the affected family and the Isiama community over the sad incident and urged the police and other security agencies to be proactive in ridding the senatorial district of illicit drugs and its use by youths.
Recall that as part of his efforts to meaningfully engage the youths of Abia Central Senatorial District, take them away from the streets and empower them, Senator Akobundu has been organising various empowerment and skills acquisition programmes aimed at turning them from job seekers to job creators and get them gainfully engaged in the respective trades they were trained on. Such trainings include the ongoing digital skills acquisition programme, sponsorship of constituents to the National Teachers Institute, training on cosmetology and paint making, sewing and farming, scholarships to students of higher institutions, etc.
