Lara Adejoro
The Federal Capital Territory Health Services and Environment Secretariat has called for total commitment to drug abuse control, stressing that it is the responsibility of the government, communities, families, schools, civil societies, and religious organisations.
The call was made by the HSES Mandate Secretary, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe during a campaign against drug abuse in private schools in Abuja in commemoration of the ‘2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking’ themed, ‘The Evidence is Clear, Invest in Prevention.’
The event took place at Lightway Academy, Coral Springs Model School, and Glistening International Academy, respectively.
She explained that the initiative was meant to sensitise youngsters about the danger of substance abuse, which is pertinent to secure a better future for them.
Fasawe who was represented by the Director of Administration, HSES, Mrs Gloria Dandam also said drug abuse control is the responsibility of the government and other relevant stakeholders.
In her words, “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. Drug abuse and risky behaviours could be controlled and prevented and I advise students to pay attention to their studies.”
The Chairman of the FCT-Drug Abuse Control Committee, Boniface Ikwu stated that the campaign aims to converse facts about the causes and consequences of drug abuse among future generations.
The Chairperson of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Salamatu Orakwelu, on his part, urged the students to take every aspect of the campaign seriously because it will discourage them from any attempt to abuse drugs that are detrimental to health and wellness and encouraged them to say no to drugs and yes to life.
Also, the Head of Pharmaceutical Services, Maitama District Hospital, 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 exposed to illicit drugs and abuse of drugs at an early age poses a high risk of abusing harder substances at a later age.
He said, “Drug Abuse is overindulgence in 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.”
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