DESOPADEC Moves Anti Drug/ Substance Abuse Campaign To Orerokpe Central Market

The Department of Community Development and Public Enlightenment, CDPE, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, has taken the campaign against drug/substance abuse to the traders/parents at the Central Market, Orerokpe, Head Quarters of Okpe Local Government Area.

The traders, who gathered at the venue paid rapt attention to messages doled out by various speakers, explaining what drug abuse is, causes/consequences and reasons why people do drugs and delve into all manner of irrational behavior especially amongst the youths.

The resource persons, Ms. Elizabeth Odisu and Ms. Honeywell Eburajolo spoke on identification of the evil worm of drug abuse and highlighted the signs and symptoms of children under the influence of drug/substance abuse with the remedies to deal with affected children.

The Head of the Department of Community Development and Public Enlightenment, CDPE, Mrs. Chinenye Ezonfade while addressing the traders at the market, gave the goodwill messages of the Governor, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, the DESOPADEC Board under the pragmatic leadership of Chairman, Chief John Nani and MD/CEO, Chief Festus Ochonogor and Executive Director, Social Services, EDSS, Chief Favor Izoukumor to the people and thanked the Board and Management for the support, affirming that they are a true beacon of hope for the youths of our host communities.

Mrs. Ezonfade emphasized the danger of drug/substance abuse on our teeming youth population, noting that drug/substance abuse has destroyed the lives of several emerging young stars and left many parents with deep wounds that may not be healed in a long while due to its devastating effect on family income, sickness that often leads to death of parents or loved ones and separation of couples who may not be able to cope with the situation.

Mrs. Ezonfade while fielding questions from DESOPADEC media correspondent stated that, “although the challenges are enormous, we are motivated by the positive feedback we receive from our people, that we are not wasting our time and the resources put into the campaign. 

“As a Commission, we are able to contribute significantly to the psychological and physical wellbeing of our people in line with the vision of his Excellency Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori.”

Some traders who participated in the question and answer session advocated that stringent laws and punishment should be meted to drug peddlers and that we should go back to the era of communal child upbringing and counseling and government should establish rehab centers to help manage affected persons.

High point of the event was the presentation of gift items by Mrs. Chinenye Ezonfade to Lady Lydia Tadafeha, Mrs. Kevwe Erhoba, Lady Angela Joseph and consolation prizes to all winners of the quiz session. 

Some traders, Mrs. Philo Emajemite and Rev. (Mrs.) Angela Offia used the occasion to pray for the Governor and DESOPADEC for God to continue to help them do more, with good health and great ideas that will move the State forward.

By: Judith Ebitimi kwamande

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