The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES) has taken the campaign against drug abuse to private schools within Abuja in commemoration of the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking
This year’s theme is: “The Evidence is Clear, Invest in Prevention.
Speaking at the sensitization campaign, the Mandate Secretary of HSES, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, said that the initiative to sensitize youngsters was pertinent because in order to secure a better future those who have a prospect in it must also be secured in every ramification hence the reason to include private schools in the campaign against drug abuse.
The Mandate Secretary who was represented by the Director of Administration HSES Mrs Gloria Dandam also said that Drug Abuse control is the responsibility of the government and other relevant stakeholders to enlighten youngsters about the dangers and consequences inherent in abusing drugs so that they can avoid anything that can deprive them of realizing their dreams and aspirations.
“Drug abuse control is the responsibility of government as well as communities, families, schools, civil societies and religious organizations and through sharing of information by parents, guardians, teachers, policymakers and youths the development of Drug Abuse/ misuse and risky behaviours could be controlled and prevented” and enjoined the students to pay raft attention to lecture so as to be better aware on the topic.
Also, the Chairman FCT-Drug Abuse Control Committee (DACC) Pharm. Boniface Ikwu while addressing the Students stated that the aim of the campaign is to converse facts that are evidential to causes and consequences so as to prevent Drug Abuse amongst future generations in line with the 2024 theme and admonished the students to equally disseminate the knowledge they will receive among their peers.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) FCT Chapter, Pharm. Salamatu Orakwelu urged the students to take every aspect of the campaign seriously because it will better inform and discourage them from any attempt to abuse drugs and substances that are detrimental to health and wellness and encouraged them to say No to drugs and Yes to life.
Furthermore, the Head of Pharmaceutical Services at Maitama District Hospital Pharm. Uche Eze who delivered the lecture of the day said that the programme was targeted at youngsters because science has shown that the human brain grows and develops up until 25 years and exposure to illicit drugs and abuse of drugs at an early age poses a high risk of abusing harder substances at a later age.
While delivering the lecture, Eze said that “Drug Abuse is overindulgence on a drug leading to effects that are detrimental to a person’s physical and mental or welfare of others” with consequences ranging from organ damage, mental imbalance, cancer, crimes, family dysfunction and premature death and appealed to the students not to indulge in the act no matter what.
The enlightenment campaign was organized for some private schools in Abuja as part of an effort to fight the menace of Drug Abuse in the FCT which includes; Lightway Academy, Coral Springs Model School and Glisten International Academy.
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