Pyrates Take Proactive Measures Against Illicit Drug Abuse, Out of School Children, Homelessness

 Pyrates Take Proactive Measures Against Illicit Drug Abuse, Out of School Children, Homelessness 

From Uchenna Ezeadigwe 

Awka

In a simultaneous collaboration of nationwide action across Nigeria and Abroad under the National Assocation of Seadogs, the Awka chapter, Honduras Deck have taken the streets of Awka, motor parks as part of his national advocacy and humanitarian campaign.

Hurricane reports that the event which took place on 4th Oct, 2025 with a road walk is a Street Child Project with the theme; Against Drug Abuse & Homelessness and Back to School Project aimed at sensitizing the general public of the dangers of drugs abuse, out of school children and homelessness. 

Addressing newsmen, President National Association of Seadogs, Pyrate Confraternity, Honduras Deck, Awka, Engr Okata Friday said the essence of the walk show was to sensitize the people of the need to address the issues of out of school children as well as drug abuse and homelessness. "NAS believes in advocacy and is always at the forefront of giving helping hands where challenges abound. Here in Awka, you see some children roving about and hawking during school hours. So NAS decided to sensitize the people which is happening across the globe. We have taken the messages to the streets and motor parks to inform the people of the need to get the children in schools, especially now that some state governments have declared education free. We also use the opportunity to call the people to stop abusing drugs. This, as a matter of facts is occasioned by homelessness". 

The President emphasized that excess intake of drugs like methamphetamine, marijuana, codeine, Colos, alcohol others have led the youths in trouble and most times ending up with neuropsychological effects (madness). He urged Ndi Anambra to say no to drugs, calling the parents and wards to encourage their children to keep away from drugs and embrace education as it is the only way to positive life.

Also speaking, Mike Nweke Okechukwu, Second Vice President of Honduras Deck, described the awareness campaigns as unanimously happening in the thirty six states where NAS is trying to ensure that the issues of drug abuse, homelessness are nipped out of bud. "The Pyrate Confraternity is keying into the millennium  Development Goals and sustainability. Presently, we are observing the international out of school children campaign, which also has to do with the international literacy day. If you look around our environment, you see children littered across every nooks and crannies which the records see as worrisome. So what we are trying to do is to see how we can curb this menance in our own little way. As a way of helping humanity attain a better society. Today, we took to motor parks and the streets to educate Ndi Anambra about the challenges and effects of these hard drugs and alcoholic substances in satchets. Some after taking it, gets high and thinks of crime to commit, some it damages the liver while in some it brings about depression. So we can not over emphasize the effects of these drugs, and it is the homelessness children that are mostly affected because they have time to mingle and take these drugs. Today, there is a high rate of crime, including accidents, so what we are doing today is significant, and we hope that the message goes to the heart of the people and become positive impacts in their lives. 

Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer/Consultant, Clinical Psychologist and Mental Health expert, Nedal Psychological Clinic, Awka, and lecturer of the Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Nnaemeka Abamara stated that the dangers of drugs are predominately and issue of concern in the country. "Some that takes drugs has the tendency of loosing his life, he feels dehydrated, he is prone to serenity if he is a man and a woman prone to childlessness. He may destroy the uterus and so it is impossible for such a woman to conceive. It can also destroy alot of things internally, like the liver, the kidney and so on. So its advisable for people to keep away from drugs". 

Prof Abamara however called on guardians to checkmate the kind of friends their children keep because they learn all these from peer group influence. "Not just sending him to school, parents should also monitor the activities of the child and the learning processes. Hence, the need to consult clinical psychologist for an expect psycho therapeutic techniques and rehabilitation". 

In their separate remarks, the Chairman, Solution Bus Terminal Aroma, Mr Oraegbuna Sunday Corneluis disclosed that the park already have rules and regulations about anyone seen indulging in such unhealthy practice. He noted that during school hours children are not allowed to hawk inside the park while urging the drivers to desist from taking any harmful drugs. He praised Pyrates for such practice measures to curb drug abuse in the society.

In the same vein, Chairman Transport Company of Anambra State (TRACAS) Mr Onwudinjo Christopher, maintained that serious sanctions such as expulsion awaits any driver caught smoking or drinking during working hours. 

Chairman Sanco park Termsite, Chief Onuorah Nwude and Engr Ellas Okonkwo, Chairman Regina park Okpuno however thanked NAS for such advocacy programmes while calling on the government, community leaders to raise more voice on drug abuse.