FILE PHOTO: Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has said substance abuse poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s future, warning that its impact extends beyond public health to security, education, economic development and social stability.
Mbah stated this in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, at a stakeholders’ conference organised by the MTN Foundation to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Enugu on Tuesday.
The governor said tackling substance abuse requires a collective effort involving governments, families, schools, religious institutions, civil society organisations, development partners, security agencies and the private sector.
He said, “Substance abuse is more than a health issue. It is a development issue, a security issue, an educational issue and a social issue. Its consequences extend beyond the individual to families, communities, institutions and the wider economy.
