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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has launched an anti-drug campaign to curb the growing menace of drug abuse among Nigerian youth.

The initiative which was tagged “Catch Them Young” programme, was inaugurated at Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt.

According to the Agency, the campaign seeks to educate and empower secondary school students with the knowledge to make informed decisions regarding drug use, including alcohol consumption.

Speaking at the event, the NAFDAC Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasized the urgent need to tackle the growing menace.

Represented by the Director of NAFDAC’s South-South Zone, Pharmacist Oligbu Chukwuma, Professor Adeyeye expressed concern over the high rate of drug abuse among the youth.

He highlighted the alarming statistics that show 14.4% of Nigerians, equivalent to 14.3 million people, are victims of drug abuse.

“The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, as part of 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 Nigerians,” Adeyeye said.

The DG noted that the programme focuses on honest conversations about the dangers of addiction. She, therefore, emphasized prevention rather than fear.

According to Adeyeye, research findings show that one out of every four high-risk drug users have been arrested for drug-related offences. These, she said, included drug possession, theft, sex work, burglary, and shoplifting.

The DG noted that the “Catch Them Young” programme is expected to reach secondary schools across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

“With this initiative, NAFDAC aims to tackle the growing menace of drug abuse among Nigerian youths. Promoting a healthier and more productive future for the nation.”

“The NAFDAC Catch Them Young Programme is a comprehensive and Coordinated intensive programme focused on secondary schools. And it is designed to reduce the prevalence of drug abuse amongst secondary school students. 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 you. This will help you to take informed decisions with regards to illicit drug use including alcohol consumption,” Adeyeye said.

In his earlier opening remarks, NAFDAC State Coordinator, Rivers State, Pharmacist Onogwu Emmanuel provided insights into the project’s objectives and implementation. He noted that the project was put in place to push NAFDAC capacity building and sensitization programme down to secondary schools.

“This programme was flagged off by Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye on September 20, 2024, at Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, FCT Abuja. It targets drug abuse education and awareness among the nation’s youth and teenagers. Who are most affected by this menace”.

Emmanuel noted that the pilot phase of the project in Rivers State would cover six schools. With two schools selected from each of the State’s three Senatorial Districts.

The State Coordinator emphasized that youths, as future leaders, must actively participate in preventing drug abuse. This is to enable them to secure the country’s future.

He said, “Your school, Government Girls Secondary School Rumuokwuta is one of the six schools selected in Rivers State for the commencement of this project. This project will be carried out in two Schools in each of the three Senatorial District in Rivers State. Which will subsequently extended to other schools within the State.

“The youths are the Nations builders and future leaders. There is the need for Youth Participation in the prevention of Drug Abuse whether individually or as a group.

“The youth is a good driving force that could shape the drug abuse prevention initiative of the country,” he said.

The Principal of Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, Gladys Iheumamme, In her goodwill message, applauded NAFDAC’s initiative. She, therefore, appealed for sustained support to ensure the project achieves its purpose.

She said, “Thanks for identifying with us and coming to inaugurate this club here. I also want to plead with NAFDAC to not just inaugurate the club and then leave us. Because sustainability is very very vital in any programme and stages of life. There have been so many programmes that were inaugurated in the past. But because of lack of resources to train and retrain the programme do not go far. I promise that as you are going to inaugurate this club today the school will work in synergy with you to ensure that the club becomes a success.”

 

 

source: The Whistler

 

 

 

 

 

 

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