Women Arise for Change Initiative, has identified truancy, drug abuse and cultism as some challenges militating against youth development in the country.

According to its President, Doctor Joe Okei-Odumakin, the problem of drug abuse posed a significant threat to the social, health, economic fabrics of the families, society and the entire nation.

Okei-Odumakin said drug abuse continued to be a major risk behaviour among youths in Nigeria, with consequent physical and mental health implications, saying Cultism among secondary school students, which was being characterised by some bizarre and violent activities, was becoming the order of day in the society.

She made this observation during a Pep Talk to mark her birthday with the students of Agidingbi Senior Grammar School, Agidingbi, Lagos, entitled: ‘Truancy, Drug Abuse, Cultism and Restoration of Hope to High School Students. Yes, We Can’.

According to her, the vices were mainly caused by peer pressure, lack of parental care, societal decadence, erosion of education standards and lack of recreational facilities in our communities, saying youths were one of the greatest assets that any nation could have, and need to urgently curb the social ills among youths and teenagers in the nation.

Okei-Odumakin said the situation could still be brought under control through drug education and enlightenment programmes in schools.

“This is why we are here today. There is the need for continued action and watchfulness of parents, education authorities, teachers, women groups and media on our children,” she said.

Also speaking, a Nollywood actor, Saidi Balogun, lamented that parents, stakeholders and the society continued to live amid the fears of drug abuse and cultism in the society, saying it was a time bomb waiting to explode if nothing was done urgently.

“All hands must be on deck to curb this menace. It should not be left in the hands of the government alone,” said Balogun.

Writing materials were distributed to the students by Women Arise for Change Initiative group.