Rivers State government has accused parents of being responsible for the increase of illicit drug peddling and consumption in primary schools.
Special Adviser to Governor Nyesom Wike on Secondary Schools Sports, Aribitonye Okiri said this at the weekend during the inauguration of Muslim drug committee by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Port Harcourt.
The state government said, “what is trending now is that barons have started giving drugs to primary school pupils to sell for them.
“Children have started taking drugs right from primary school level and parents are largely responsible for this menace.”
While inaugurating the committee, the State Commander of NDLEA, Rachael Shelleng warned parents to desist from leaving their children in the hands of teachers alone to take care of.
According to the state NDLEA boss, “those parents who hide under the guise of being busy with their income work and allow only school teachers to train their children for them are making a big mistake.
“A particular mother did that and ended up being killed by her drug dependent son.
“This woman brought her drug addicted son to our NDLEA office for rehabilitation and decided to take back her son to a well conducive facility where she will be paying N500,000 per month, saying that NDLEA rehabilitation facility is not conducive for her son.
“Later, we heard that, that same son she has been pampering with money and refused to discipline had killed her.
“When you see your children start wearing sun glasses at night or wearing strong deodorant perfumes all the time, please parents try and ask them some questions.”
Our correspondent reports that the committee was inaugurated to sensitize Muslims in the state on the dangers of illicit drugs and report interventionist situations to NDLEA for action.
