The youth is the life-seed of every nation. Unfortunately, most of our youths have found themselves at the mercy of illicit drugs/substances, due to some factors such as broken homes, grief and depression, unemployment, poverty, frustration, experimentation, and peer pressure. Under the influence of drugs/substance, these young Nigerians indulge in so many antisocial behaviors which many of them regret later in life. Interestingly, most of these youths are struggling to overcome these debilitating habits and behaviors that has posed a grave danger to their life, health and means of livelihood. Here, the COFP readily step in to do their beat in helping them overcome these habits, lean new life skills and are meaningfully empowered to live more quality life.
The COFP Foundation in its effort to create a peaceful, drug-addiction/substance abuse free society, organizes a program for youths tagged “Youths Living Above Drug and Substance Abuse/Addiction (YOLDA)”. The program which is now in its third-year assists beneficiaries; particularly, young people who are engaged in one form of drug/substance abuse or another to get out of them through a Drug Prevention, Treatment and Care program, (DPTC). This methodical program incorporates counselling, medical screening and testing, treatment and care, vocational skills acquisition and empowerment. YOLDA is a one-year program targeting young people from Abuja suburb towns of Nyanya, Mararaba and its environs.
We are ever happy with the success stories from the beneficiaries of our YOLDA program because, a good number of them are now engaged in various rewarding jobs which they learnt through the skill acquisition package of YOLDA, while others have testified that they have been able to quit drugs, overcome peer pressure and equally control their urge for drugs and other harmful substances that led them to regrettable actions.
