The Children Academic and Vocational Support Initiatives (CAVSI) held a one-day interactive forum on October 5, 2024, at the Itesiwaju CDA Community Hall in Iloye, Sango-Otta, Ogun State. The event aimed to address key social issues, particularly parental responsibility in understanding children’s struggles with substance use and its effects.
Organized by Mr. Hakeem Ariori and the CAVSI team, the forum emphasized the crucial role parents play in combating substance abuse among children. Ariori expressed gratitude to partner schools for their support, highlighting the event as an important step toward fostering a more informed community.
The forum featured two expert speakers, Dr. Bountiful Taiwo Adelanwa, a psychologist, and Mrs. Adenike Lawrence, a clinical psychologist. Dr. Adelanwa stressed the influence of both family and environmental factors on children's behavior, urging parents to be vigilant in monitoring their children, especially concerning technology use. She also discussed the various forms of addiction, their mental and physical health impacts, and offered solutions for creating a nurturing home environment.
Mrs. Lawrence highlighted the challenges of adolescence, noting that many addictions begin during this stage. She encouraged parents to build emotional connections with their children to prevent substance abuse.
The event included interactive sessions, where parents raised concerns, and experts provided practical guidance. Therapy and counseling were recommended as valuable resources for families dealing with substance use.
About 70 participants from the community, along with CAVSI ambassadors, chaplains, and volunteers, attended the forum. Additionally, a food bazaar was held to help alleviate the economic struggles many families face.
Ariori urged parents to be more intentional in their parenting and encouraged government efforts to include more counseling and age-appropriate sex education in school curriculums.
