By Anne Agbi
Global Initiative on Substance Abuse (GISA) has begun the training of prevention experts in drug/substance use prevention in the family.
Speaking at the commencement of the five-day training in Lagos, the Founder/Executive Director of GISA, Dr. Martin Agwogie, said the family, being one of the most important components of the society, must take the centre stage in substance use prevention initiatives.
He said: “Family is the smallest unit of socialization. Consequently, for a more meaningful and comprehensive substance use prevention interventions, family should be a primary focus. Today, many things are wrong with the family settings that constitute risk for substance use. Until we begin to address these family ills, evolve a healthier foundation for children upbringing with appropriate parenting skills, we may continue to experience increase in substance use/abuse in Nigeria”.
Agwogie listed some of the topics treated during the training to include risk factors for substance use in the family, warning signs, parenting skills, family bonding for substance use prevention, the role of parents in substance use prevention, family emotional climate and self-regulation, the psychology of human development and developmental goals, global principles and best practices in substance use prevention in the family, among others.
Participants were drawn from parts of the country, professional backgrounds, government and non-governmental organisations.
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