The Representative of Lagos Central Senatorial District in the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Abdulmumin Edidi has officially flagged off the 2024 Lagos Central Inter-Secondary School Debate on Drug Abuse, themed “Pioneering a Substance-Free Generation: Youth Empowerment and Advocacy,” on Saturday, 19th October 2024.

The debate featured 32 Senior and Junior Secondary Schools from across the district, tackling various topics related to drug abuse prevention and treatment. These topics included:

– “Substance Abuse Education Should Begin in Primary School Rather Than Secondary School,”
– “Social Media is the Most Influential Factor in Youth Drug and Substance Abuse,”
– “Celebrities Have the Greatest Influence on Promoting Drug Abuse Among Students,”
– “Social Stigmatization of Drug Users Discourages Them from Seeking Help Rather Than Preventing Drug Abuse,”
– “Technology Enables Online Drug Trafficking Among Youth More Than It Helps Prevent It,” and many more.

The preliminary stage concluded with four Senior Schools; King’s College Lagos, Queen’s College Lagos, Sari-Iganmu Senior Secondary School, and Lagos State Senior Model College Badore, and four Junior Schools; Ilogbo Junior High School, Sanya Junior High School, Iganmu Junior High School, and King Ado Junior High School proceeding to the final round scheduled for November.

This debate marks the third edition of a peer-to-peer advocacy initiative against drug and substance abuse among students. The program is a direct outcome of the Nigerian Youth Parliament’s Drug and Substance Abuse Control Policy, aimed at curbing the menace of drug abuse at its roots.

The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Former First Lady, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, and Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, are among the dignitaries expected to attend the finale. Winners will receive various prizes, including laptops and tech scholarships.

Since its inception two years ago, the program has reached over 90 schools and aims to engage all schools within the district.

Organizers call on the public and corporate organizations to support this vital cause in combating drug abuse among our youth.