Bothered by the increased rate of drug abuse in society, the Association of Community Pharmacists Of Nigeria (ACPN), has taken a campaign against drug abuse to secondary schools in Osun state.
The association engaged eight secondary school students selected across the state as part of the ongoing 2023 pharmacy week.
The state chairman of the association, Pharmacist Bankole Kamorudeen, who spoke to our correspondent in Osogbo, Wednesday, disclosed that Iwo grammar school, Iwo, Akinorun grammar school, Ikirun, Igbonnibi high school, Ila-orangun, Oluorogbo high school, Ile-Ife, Osogbo grammar school, Osogbo, Ilesa grammar school, Ilesa, ADC grammar school, Apomu, Ede high school, Ede were selected across the three senatorial districts in the state.
Pharmacist Kamorudeen stated that the association came up with the idea to sensitise the students to prevent them from derailing or joining the bad gang in society.
Noting that drug abuse has become wass global trend, Kamorudeen said the government alone must not be left alone in the fight against drug abuse.
He said, “In Nigeria, substance abuse is becoming a culture as youths in different parts of the country are engaging in the habit of using psychoactive substances which are harmful to human health.
“Substance abuse comes in many different forms and can happen for many different reasons. Some of our youths are hooked at tender ages due to peer pressure and social influence.
“The 2021 World Drug Report produced by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime reveals that almost half a million people were killed in 2019 as a result of drug use, while drug use disorders resulted in 18 million years of healthy lives lost, mostly due to opioids. One in four deaths result from illicit, or drug use, and more deaths, illnesses, and disabilities are associated with drug abuse than any other preventable health condition.
“With this data, all hands must be on deck to arrest this menace in our society. The government, parents, NGOs, and professional bodies like ours must work together to arrest the disturbing trend. The innocent minds must be given proper orientation from derailing against drug abuse,” Kamorudeen said.
