Drug war: Nigerian students lead campaign

Drug war: Nigerian students lead campaign
Godwin Ukaa, Abuja,

Some Nigerian Students at the anti-drug drama presentation held in Abuja.

A total of 320 students from 11 schools within Abuja on Thursday participated in anti-drug drama presentation at the Government Science Technical College Hall Garki, Abuja.

The youth sensitization forum on the hazards of illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse is part of a weeklong event commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.

This is coming a day after the Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade held a press briefing that flagged off the week long programme of events.  

Increasing Abuse among youths

The Director General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Mr. Femi Ajayi in his remarks noted that the decision to set aside a day for the youths is based on the need to curtail the ugly trend of youth involvement in drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

In his words: “within the last decade, the involvement of youths has taken a wide and frightening dimension. Adolescents and youths of both sexes and between the ages of 13-35 years constitute the high risk group for drug abuse.”

He added that available statistics show that more than 70 per cent of drug abuse associated health problems presented to hospitals and drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centres on youths.

The Director, department of Policy and Implementation of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Education Secretariat, Mrs. Rosemary Umana, in her address of welcome noted that as a quality assurance officer in the ministry of education, she has observed cases of drug abuse among secondary school students and appealed to the students to shun drug abuse and concentrate on building their career.

Mrs. Umana thanked the anti-drug agency for organising the enlightenment programmes for the students.

NDLEA Assistant Director of NGO’s and Research, Mr. Femi Meletoyintan presented the first lecture on Drugs, Drug Abuse and How to Prevent Addiction.

The second lecture entitled Shun Drugs was presented by Pharmacist Ngozi Onuorah, Deputy Director Drug Enlightenment Unit of National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Enlightenment materials were presented to the students.

Among the seven schools that participated in the drama presentation, Junior Secondary School Apo, Abuja took the first position with 63 per cent. Government Secondary School Tunduwada came second with 62 per cent and Government Science Technical College Garki came third with 60 per cent.

Government Secondary School Garki came fourth with 55 per cent.

Fifth position went to Junior Secondary School Durumi with 50 per cent, Junior Secondary School Life Camp, Abuja took sixth with 46 per cent and Junior Secondary School Jabi, took seventh with 41 per cent.

Most of the students interviewed were happy with the event and thanked the management of the NDLEA for considering the youths in its drug campaign programmes and wished that it would be a continuous exercise.

Williams