It was a practical demonstration of zero tolerance to use of illicit drugs and other such substances when Igwe Awkuzu Cabinet Committee on Drug Abuse Eradication in conjunction with the Balm for the Bruised Foundation held a maiden town hall meeting.
The programme commenced with a road walk by Awkuzu youths led by the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Professor Charles Anikweze and members of his cabinet.
Correspondent Njideka Okoye reports that the road walk, which took them round the community, sensitizing people on the dangers of intake of hard drugs and Awkuzu declaration on Mkpulumili, terminated at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church Awkuzu, the venue for the town hall meeting.
Speaking, Igwe Professor Anikweze, who said that the problem of drug and Illicit substance abuses are not peculiar to Awkuzu Community or Anambra State as it is a national phenomenon, regretted that the greatest actors and victims of the ugly menace are young people, who are leaders and custodians of the future.
On her part, the Chief Executive, Balm for the Bruised, Princess Ekwi Ajide said that the essence of the programme was to sensitize people on the need to stay away from the intake of hard drugs especially Mkpulumili as well as finding a way to curb the menace adding that the town hall meeting was aimed at enabling them to fashion out a plan that is more suitable for African setting in tackling the problem.
She called on youths to disassociate themselves from anything that can terminate their dreams and solicited more engagement and of youths in scheme of things.
In their remarks, the Onowu of Awkuzu, Architect Eric Onyekwena and the Awkuzu Youth Leader, Comrade Chigozie Muozie commended the initiative saying that it will go a long way in curbing the menace as the intake of hard drugs which regretted was a threat to future development of any community warning that any person caught dealing or consuming them after the declaration will face the wrath of the law.
Some of the youths, including Chinenye Nwankwo, Obiora and Ikechukwu Okuzu commended the organizers, urging youths to say no to any kind of hard drug especially Mkpulumili as it destroys the future of youths and community.
A resource person, Professor Michael Ezanwa from the Department of Psychology Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, listed effects of hard drugs including damage to the brain, the Spinal cord and influence thought, perception and behaviour.
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