Members of the Kogi State House of Assembly have decried the rise in the intake of hard drugs by some youths in the state.
In a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Lokoja I, Hon Bin Ebaiya Shehu Tijani calling for the establishment of a rehabilitation center that will cater for the needs of victims of abuse such as drugs ,rape and other mental challenges noted that this has led to the death of many youths in the state.
While lamenting that drug abuse and other social vices has increased in Lokoja, and other parts of the State, the lawmaker said besides drug abuse, rape and gender based violence are prevalent and have also caused a lot of trauma on the victims.
He lamented that Kogi State has no rehabilitation center to cater for such victims which has made many to resort to unprofessional care givers.
The lawmaker pointed out that one Non Governmental Organization, MOHAB, is overwhelmed with the provisions of care for such victims, adding that efforts to get the attention of the state government to come to the aid of the victims has not yielded results.
“It is imperative for the State Government to establish a rehabilitation center in Kogi State in view of the increasing cases of abuse and the resultant mental injury or traumas and abuse. When the rehabilitation center is established, it shall provide physiotherapy, occupational therapy and other rehabilitative treatments for physical or mental agony,” he stated.
The lawmaker added that besides treating addictions, the centre would provide operational support for relevant laws on gender based violence and Child Rights Law and also reduce crimes in Kogi State.
The Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Mrs Comfort Ojoma Nwochiola Egwaba who presided over the sitting, also stressed that the motion was timely and directed the Clerk to convey the resolution of the house to the State Government.
