A Lagos-based NGO, Straight Out of Navy Town (SONT), held a drug abuse awareness programme on Saturday for students and parents during Easter celebrations. The event, led by general coordinator Ayodeji Ogunyemi, targeted youth and families in Navy Town, with outreach extended to schools, churches and mosques. Ogunyemi attributed the rising rate of substance abuse to societal decline and warned that young, productive minds were being lost to the habit. He said the timing of the programme during the Easter holiday was intentional to maximise attendance.
Ogunyemi urged parents to confront the issue directly, saying many avoid conversations about drug use due to fear of societal stigma. "Parents should not be afraid of approaching this matter because society will negatively impact them if they do not carry out their responsibilities," he said. He stressed that silence and avoidance increase the risk of children straying. SONT plans to work with the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) in local schools to sustain the campaign.
Holding a drug awareness event during Easter does not make it a religious solution to a public health crisis. Ayodeji Ogunyemi's appeal to parents is clear, but framing behavioural change through resurrection symbolism distracts from the need for structured intervention. If SONT's outreach stops after the holiday, then the real issue—sustained support for at-risk youth—remains unaddressed. Awareness without follow-up is performance, not prevention.
