The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to investing in initiatives and policies aimed at empowering young people and discouraging drug abuse and crime.

This pledge was reiterated at the second edition of the Kwara State Stakeholders’ Summit on Drug Abuse, Prevention, and Control, held in Ilorin. Hon. Aileru Olalekan Mukail, Special Assistant to the Governor on Drug Abuse, Prevention, and Control, stated that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s legacy projects—including the Ilorin Innovation Hub, Sugar Film Factory, Garment Factory, and Kwapreneur—are designed to create jobs, foster entrepreneurship, and equip youths with skills for sustainable careers.

The summit, themed “Synthetic Drug Crisis: United for Safer Kwara” , underscored the administration’s focus on addressing the growing threat of synthetic drugs through youth empowerment and community engagement. Hon. Mukail highlighted how these projects aim to reduce vulnerability to drug-related activities by providing alternatives for economic and social development.

The event, organised by the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Drug Abuse, Prevention, and Control, brought together stakeholders to strategise on combating drug abuse and promoting a safer environment for Kwara’s youth.

“This gathering reflects our collective commitment to tackling the growing menace of drug abuse, particularly the rising crisis of synthetic drugs, which poses a significant threat to public health, security, and the future of our youth,” Aileru said.

“The administration of His Excellency the Governor is investing in youth empowerment programmes and projects to create employment, foster entrepreneurship, and empower our young people with the necessary skills to build successful careers.”

Such initiatives not only secure the economic future of our youth but also steer them away from the dangers of drug abuse, Aileru said.

He added that the administration has introduced a mandatory drug testing policy for students at the tertiary level as part of measures to easily identify students who abuse drugs and rehabilitate them, noting this will ensure a safer and more productive academic environment.

“As part of our continued efforts, today marks another significant milestone as our government unveils the State Drug Prevention Campus Ambassadors – a group of dedicated volunteers who will work closely with us in addressing drug use across tertiary institutions,” he said.

He said the government will continue to strengthen policies, enhance awareness, and invest in prevention and rehabilitation programmes to safeguard the future of the state.

Attended by senior government officials, traditional rulers, youth, and students, the session also featured paper presentations, panel discussion, award presentations, and dramas displayed by students.

Top attendees included Chairman, Kwara House Committee on Information and Youth, Rukayat Shittu; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Kwara State Governor Princess Olubukola Babalola; Commissioner for Communications, Bola Olukoju; Commissioner for Social Development, Dr Maryam Nnafatima Imam; Oloro of Oro Kingdom and one of the keynote speakers, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye Olufayo II; Director General National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mallam Issa Lanre Onilu; Chairman, Kwara State Sports Commission Coach Bola Magaji; Medical Director, Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Budo Egba, Issa Baba Awoye; a lecturer University of Ilorin, Dr Mahmoud Danjuma; Pastor Oyedapo Ademuyiwa; representative from NDLEA and other agencies of government; and dozens of Corps members.

Hon. Shittu said findings show that most drug addicts are products of poor parenting or matrimonial crisis, and called for a proper parenting system that "can breed a generation that we will be proud of".

She also advised the youth to choose the right partners and go into marriage with a sense of responsibility.

Oloro of Oro advised the youth to preserve their mental health for productive use by eschewing abuse of drugs and to stop taking celebrities who indulge in it as their role models. He urged community leaders to scale up their responses, mobilize resources, and come up with more strategies that will check the menace in their domains.

“You don't need to get intoxicated before you can be inspired. Rather than doing that, try to do research and be focused for you to prosper in life,” he said.

Onilu said there was a need for a multi-sectoral approach such as a community-driven, intelligence-based enforcement, as well as legislation to strengthen the fight against drug abuse. He commended the Governor and Hon. Aileru for championing the campaign, pledging the NOA’s continued support to eradicate criminality.

Prof. Awoye said drug abuse and addiction are major public health concerns, with millions of people worldwide affected by the negative consequences of drug misuse.

He listed poverty, weak enforcement of drug laws, peer pressure, and social influence, as well as accessibility as some of the factors contributing to synthetic drug use.

He said the society can become free of drug addiction if the government and relevant NGOs do more on public awareness, stronger enforcement of laws, and improved access to treatment and rehabilitation services.

Dr Danjuma said drug addiction can be better addressed if the society stops adoring celebrities, who are either drug addicts or promoters of other social vices.

Highlight of the occasion was the unveiling of the State Drug Prevention Campus Ambassadors – who volunteer to work with the government to champion the fight against abuse of substances across tertiary institutions in the state.