The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has revealed there is a direct connection between the increasing trend of drug abuse and road accidents in Nigeria.
The FRSC Public Enlightenment Officer in Lagos, Olabisi Sonusi, made this revelation during the 2023 Press Week Lecture by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, News Agency of Nigeria Lagos Chapel.
The lecture tagged, “Drug Abuse and Nigerian Youths: Effects and the Way Forward” had many stakeholders in attendance.
Part of the stakeholders were officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, students and others.
Sonusi said that Nigeria had lost and was still losing a lot of talents and future leaders over road crashes due to substance abuse.
She said: “Nigeria is losing youths to drugs and alcohol, especially while hanging out under the influence of substances. We are losing many of our youths in their prime.”
She stated that seven out of 10 road traffic accident victims are usually youths aged between 15 years and 35 years.
She added: “We keep losing them when they are needed for national growth.”
Sonusi advised Nigerians to prevent under-aged driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.
According to her, the FRSC has carried out several campaigns and enlightenment against drug abuse among motorists in various motor parks.
She said: “We all have to come onboard together in addressing the challenges of deaths on the highways because of substance abuse.”
According to her, a young rider was recently knocked down, and on investigation by FRSC personnel, it was detected that he was under the influence of drugs.
She pleaded with parents, religious leaders and other stakeholders to unite in curbing drug abuse among the youths.
She said: “There is the need for all Nigerians to tackle this menace holistically.”
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