The Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, Mr Festus Alenkhe, has urged journalists to sensitise the public through their reportage to the dangers of drugs in-take in the society.
Alenkhe made the appeal, at a one-day capacity-building training for journalists on drug harm reduction, prevention and control in Benin.
Alenkhe said the training was organised to expose journalists to health related reportage and to be more abreast with drug-related terms while writing.
The NUJ boss admonished journalists to see the opportunity as a means to refresh their practice and put it into use to better the society and reduce drug victims.
Alenkhe, who noted that the training was organised by Smile Africa International Youth Development, in collaboration with the Edo State Council, explained that the present administration would continue to train and retrain journalists in the state.
The resource person, Mr. Anieedi Akapn, said the programme was targeted at educating journalists on the danger of drug in-take and the need to reduce the menace through proper reportage, to change the attitude of drug victims.
Akpan further advised journalists to be objective and give adequate reportage on drug abuse, to drastically reduce the victims in the society.
He cautioned drug victims to desist from the menace as it might lead to mental disorder, brain damage, and even death.
The Executive Director of Smile Africa International Youth Development, Mr Purpose Iserhienrhien, advised journalists to educate and enlighten children/youths on drugs implications.
He advised that parents/ guardians should not lie to children or pupils about drugs, adding that it was good to say exactly the effects of drugs without over flogging issues.
He further said there was need to bring back morals to the society.
Over 40 journalists, drawn from the 15 chapels of the union, attended the training.
The theme of the training was: “People first, stop stigma and discrimination.”