Drug Abuse: Lagos Pushes Coordinated Action, Early Intervention Strategy

 

By Kayode Olopade 

The Lagos State Government has stepped up efforts to combat the growing menace of drug and substance abuse, calling for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to safeguard the future of young people across the state.

At a high-level stakeholder engagement organised by the Lagos State Kicks Against Drug Abuse (LASKADA) unit under the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, government officials and key actors emphasised the urgency of a unified and strategic response to the escalating challenge.

The engagement, themed “Empowering Stakeholders to Break the Cycle of Substance Abuse,” was held at the STO Resource Centre in Ikeja and brought together social workers, educators, community leaders, security agencies and youth representatives to chart practical solutions.

Speaking at the forum, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, described substance abuse as a pressing public health and social crisis with far-reaching implications for education, mental health and public safety.

According to him, the problem has become increasingly prevalent within schools and communities, posing a serious threat to the state’s social fabric and long-term development.

“What we are witnessing goes beyond a health concern. It is a social challenge with deep consequences for our collective future,” he said, stressing the need for urgent, coordinated action.

Ogunlende maintained that no single institution can effectively tackle the menace alone, urging school counsellors, religious bodies, community leaders, security agencies and youth advocates to play active roles in prevention, early detection and rehabilitation.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, underscored the complexity of substance abuse, noting that it continues to impact education, healthcare systems, family structures and overall community wellbeing.

She emphasised that isolated interventions have proven inadequate, calling instead for deliberate, sustained and well-coordinated efforts across sectors.

“This engagement is both necessary and purposeful. The impact of drug abuse across our communities continues to demand closer attention and a more coordinated response,” she said.

Oke-Osanyintolu explained that the initiative aims to align existing programmes, deepen collaboration and explore practical strategies centred on prevention, early identification of risk factors and improved access to support services.

She identified key pillars of the state’s response to include intensified awareness campaigns, strengthened education efforts, enhanced counselling services and broader community engagement.

The Permanent Secretary further urged stakeholders to move beyond dialogue and focus on actionable outcomes capable of reinforcing systems that protect vulnerable groups, particularly young people.

“Addressing substance abuse is a shared responsibility that demands consistency, coordination and commitment from all stakeholders,” she added.

Participants at the engagement expressed optimism that sustained collaboration and a unified framework would significantly improve prevention efforts and reduce the prevalence of substance abuse across Lagos.

The meeting forms part of ongoing initiatives by the Lagos State Government to tackle social challenges affecting youth development and promote safer, healthier communities through inclusive and responsive policy interventions.