By Philip Ezuma, Port Harcourt
The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC, affirmes that the war against drug abuse, also amounts to war for the future of Nigeria.
The Director General DG of the agency, Professor Mrs Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, made the declaration yesterday in her keynote address, at the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Rumuokuta, Port Harcourt, during the inauguration of NAFDAC ‘Consumer Safety’ club.
At the event captioned ‘Catch them Young Project/NAFDAC School Safety Club’, she was represented by the South-south Zonal Director, Pharmacist Emmanuel Olugbu
“NAFDAC, as part her mandate, seeks to collaborate with stakeholders on ‘Drug Reduction Demand’ programmes, such as drug abuse campaign to secondary Schools, to check the menace of drug abuse among young Nigeria. It is estimated that 14.3% or more Nigerians are victims of drug abuse. It’s alarming”, she exclaimed.
“Research findings show that one out of every four high risk drug users, have been arrested for drug related offences, including possession of (73%), theft (12%), theft, sex work (five%), and shoplifting (two%).
If we consider that most crimes go unreported, then we ll see that we have a huge problem on our hands. Two thirds of people who abuse drugs report have serious problems as a result. These problems include missing school or work, doing poor jobs at work, or school and even neglecting their families and children. These show us the bane of our society, and why we must do all, we can, to protect our nation”, she submitted.
She affirmed ‘NAFDAC Catch Them Young Programme’, is a comprehensive and coordinated programme focused on secondary school, designed to reduce the prevelence of drug abuse among secondary school students.
“Our programme is not designed to scare anyone, but to have honest conversation with the public, to help take informed decisions with regards to illicit drug use, including alcohol consumption”.
In his opening remark, the State Coordinator of the agency, Pharmacist Emmanuel Onogwu, disclosed the programme was initiated on 20th September, 2024, and it is focussed on ‘Drug Abuse Education and Awarenesses’ campaigns on the menace of drug abuse in the country.
“This is very important because, of the segment of the nation, that is mostly affected, the youths and by extension our teenagers.
The youths are the nation’s builders and future leaders, hence the need for youth participation in the prevention of drug abuse, whether individually or as a group’, he argued.
The principal of the Government Girls’ Secondary School Rumuokuta, Port Harcourt, Dr Mrs Gladys Promise, pleaded with the agency for sustenance of the club, when inaugurated.
She vouched the cooperation of her staff and all concerned, to make a huge success, federal government’s fight against drug abuse.
