• Plans to build rehabilitation centre
The Ondo State government has disclosed that consumption of hard drugs has enormously contributed to the high rate of mental illness among youths. The Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Banji Ajaka, revealed this during the Mental Health Submit organised by the Niger Delta Youth Council/Health Circle Initiative in partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Akure, the state capital.
According to Ajaka, the state will soon build a rehabilitation centre to cater for people with mental disorder as a result of the abuse of drugs. During the summit held at the State College of Health Technology, Akure, with the theme: “Creation of Awareness and Building Supportive Mental Health in the Niger Delta Region,” Ajaka noted that the burden of drug abuse is on the rise and becoming a public health concern in Nigeria.
Represented by Dr. Sajo Sunday, Ajaka said: “Our country, Nigeria, has developed a reputation as a centre for drug trafficking and usage, mostly among the youth population. Almost all types of psychoactive substances are now available in Nigeria due to their spillover into the streets from drug traffickers who use Nigeria as a conduit to transport drugs from Southeast Asia and South America to Europe and North America.”
He added: “Over the years, the government of Ondo State has made significant progress both in the prevention and treatment of people who have comorbid substance use disorders and other mental health conditions through various evidence-based prevention programmes, policies, and integrated approaches by our health personnel.
“Currently, efforts are in place by the government of Ondo State to build a good rehabilitation centre to cater for people with substance use disorders and mental illness.”
“It is important to say that all of us must collaborate with the government of Ondo State to put an end to the menace of drug abuse in our dear state.”
Also, Special Adviser to the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Health, Prof. Michael Odimayo, blamed most of the mental challenges on the misuse of hard drugs.
Odimayo, who described mental health as a disease that is very common in society, commended the NDDC for the submission, adding that the use of hard drugs destroyed the younger generation.
Earlier, the National Coordinator, Niger Delta Youth Council, Jator Abido, said integrating mental health education into school curricula can help normalise the conversation around mental health and provide students with coping strategies and awareness.
