Taiwo Malomo, a principal medical officer (Surgical Emergency Department) at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, has tasked the church and parents to show more commitment to addressing drug abuse among the youth.

Mr Malomo said this at a programme organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), House of Joy Parish in Abuja.

Mr Malomo said many youths today had imprisoned themselves to drugs and are finding it extremely difficult to get out of the self-imprisonment.

“Therefore, parents, especially mothers, must, as a matter of urgency, rise up to tackle this menace,” he said. “The reality is that drug use is no respecter of gender, status, religion or education.”

He said the church, as part of the moulding agent, must deploy assets in the direction to set men and women at liberty and freedom from every form of drug addiction.

Mr Malomo expressed worry that children between the ages of 8 and 10 were exposed to and used dangerous substances and drugs.

”I think another fact that should bother us as Christian mothers in the ministry is that there is no Christian university or higher institution that is free from this scourge. This should open our consciousness to the doors of the vastness of the prison imposed by the use of various drugs and substances in the country, and particularly more worrisome amongst our teenagers, youths, young adults and even the older generation,” he said.

Mr Malomo, however, said the church must actively discourage stigma and discrimination to enable the victims and their families to seek help without fear.

He also urged the church to make family matters prominent and not just sermons for the sake of preaching.

(NAN)