INSIGHTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO VANGUARD NEWSPAPER INVESTIGATION INTO DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE BY SCHOOL CHILDREN (YOUTHS AND TEENAGERS)
DR TIMI OYEBODE
One of the current trending things in the Society nowadays is Drug and Substance Abuse among School Children (Youths and Teenagers) through the usage of a substance called SOKUDAYE.
Sokudaye is an intake of herbal mixture capable of sending children to early grave. This the Lagos State House of Assembly has even kicked against its usage as well as call for the stoppage of its Production with immediate effect.
Intake of harmful substances among Youths has been described as disruptive and capable of sending them to their grave.
The substances which have been discovered to be more prevalent among Primary and Secondary School students are said to be reasons for various criminal activities and vices among Youths and Teenagers.
Under the influence of this substance for instance, these Youths and children practice all sorts of vices including, rape, gambling, killing, robbery, ritualism among others.
Sokudaye is one of the local herbs sold at motors parks, garages among others.
Investigations revealed that the effect of Sokudaye on Youths and children is fast becoming dangerous not only to them but the entire Country as a whole.
Speaking on the effect of Sokudaye on children and Youths, the CEO/ Head Counsellor, Attitude Development International, ADI, Dr Timi Oyebode explained that: “Drinking of harmful substances by school children and Youth is a Sign of the level of Emotional Pain and struggle many of our young ones are going through.
The facts remain that addiction of any sort is traceable to trauma (an inner wound/pain).
Most times people use different means to suppress their trauma/inner pains, including these children.
Trauma is “Inner Pain or Wound” that buries itself deep in our consciousness.
Often times, it is a tragedy too heavy for the mind to bear: For instance Sex-too-early, Sudden death of a parent or close family or friend, Accident, Violence, Betrayal, Neglect, Abuse, Pain, Violation, Failure and many more others.
Unfortunately many of these children had experienced one or more of such traumatizing situation without getting appropriate Emotional Support and Counselling to help them handle the pains caused by these experiences.
And since the pain is there, they just have to look for a means to suppress it and that is where drugs and other harmful substances come handy as they give momentarily relieve from these inner pain.
Sadly, it means as a Nation we are breeding a generation of emotionally injured Youths and children. This as well infers, having adults who are emotionally unbalanced and dependent on substances or what may be, for Emotional Support.
The total man is a rounded Physical, Spiritual and Emotional being and once a part is injured; the other parts are at risk too.
Sadly however, many parents do not know the Emotional Status of their children, teachers are not informed too and the Government seems to focus only on academics.
SOLUTIONS AT SIGHT
To help these children and our Nation at large, we need to become deliberate about meeting the Emotional Needs and these children and Youths:
- Parents should show love and be Emotionally available to their children.
- Teachers should go beyond classroom work to identify and be supportive of children who are struggling or seems to be unhappy.
- Government should put up Emotional Support Systems in Schools and Communities like Counselling Centres; Carry out Drug and Substances Abuse Awareness Campaigns and as well as Promoting Extra Curriculum Activities for these children and Youths.
- Religious and Motivational Leaders should also be involved to engage these Young Ones and help raise a balanced adult at the end of the day.
- The Legislative Arms of Government should enact Laws that should be stringent to curb consumption and sales of these harmful substances especially when it comes to selling to Youths and children.
- We should not allow children and teenagers to have access to these dangerous substances.
What the Products are being used for is different from what the Producers intend them for.
7. We have to immediately find a way to stop Primary and Secondary Schools children from abusing the drugs by reaching out to the necessary Departments in the State Ministry to assist with the Campaign for this.
The Ministries of Information, Health and Education should embark on an Awareness Campaign on these Products.
Market women and men, as well as Transport Workers, should embark on a Campaign against these Products as well.
On its own, it has been discovered that ‘Sokudaye was not a Product but Chemical.
When this Product was taken to the Laboratory, it was discovered that, it is a Chemical used for Embalmment and that the instruction on the bottle stated that it should not be inhaled.
“Sokudaye is from chlorophyll.
It has the capacity to destroy the Central Nervous System that destroys the kidney – This might be the cause of constant kidney problem in many of these children and Youths.
As a Product therefore, the Government should immediately banned the Product.
The Public Generally is hereby advised to be wary and aware of the consequences of the consumption of these substances.
… Culled from the Session of Dr Timi Oyebode with the Vanguard Newspaper.
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REPORTS BY DISCOVERY MEDIA CREW
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