The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and control (NAFDAC) has sensitized students of Government Secondary Wuye, on the menace of drug abuse and alcohol among the youth.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, who was represented by Deputy Director Narcotics, Dr Paul Kamai, made this known on Thursday at the inauguration of ” The NAFDAC Catch Them Young Programme ” at government Secondary School, Wuye, Abuja-FCT, said the sensitization aims at tackling the dangers of illicit drug abuse and alcohol consumption by Nigerian youth.
She said programme is a comprehensive and coordinated intensive programme focused on secondary schools, designed to reduce the prevalence of drug abuse amongst secondary school students.
Prof Adeyeye raised alarm that estimated of 14.4% or 14.3 million Nigerians are victims of drug abuse.
According to her, research findings shows that one out of every four high risk drug users have been arrested for drug related offences, including possession (73%), theft (12 %), sex work (five %), burglary (four %), and shop lifting (two %). Note that this data only shows the number of arrests. If we consider that most crimes go unreported, then, we will see that we have a huge problem on our hands.
She emphasized that two thirds of people who abuse drugs report having serious problems as a result. These problems include, missing school or work, doing poor jobs at work or school and even neglecting their family or children. These show us the bane of our society and why we must do all we can to protect our nation”.
Prof Adeyeye also inaugurated NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club in the school to create awareness and combat intake of drugs and alcohol among the youth.
“Drug addiction can arise from both legal such as prescribed medicines and illicit drugs. This programme is not designed to scare anyone, but to have honest conversations with the students. This will help to take informed decisions with regards to illicit drug use including alcohol consumption,” she stressed.
Also speaking, the Vice Principal Academics of Government Secondary School Wuye, Mrs Eddie Bridget, said the program will help students to create awareness in the society and lettin them know the effect of drug abuse and alcoholism.
She noted that it will help teachers to guide students not to go into drugs and alcoholism.
