NAFDAC partner students to tackle drug abuse in varsities

The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it will collaborate with students in tertiary institutions to tackle rising cases of drug abuse among youths.

Mr Dadi Mullah, the Kaduna State Coordinator of NAFDAC, said this when Northern Nigeria Students’ Association, led by its President, Mr Hamza Talba, visited him in Kaduna on Tuesday.

Mullah expressed concern over the increasing involvement of youths in drug abuse and drug-related crimes in higher institutions in the state.

“In Northern Nigeria, out of 10 youths, seven are on drugs, this is alarming and something urgently needed to be done,’’ he said.
He urged the students to cooperate with the agency to tackle drug related crimes in schools in the region.

Mullah said urgent measures must be taken by the government by engaging the youth in various skill acquisition programmes that would keep them away from drug abuse and drugs-related crimes.

“Drug abuse is affecting us seriously; because it has now gone to an extent that young girls and married women are involved in such ugly act.

“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to you students to support us in your various institutions on the campaign against drug abuse to reduce the menace to the barest minimum.

“Young persons who persistently abuse drugs often experience an array of problems including academic difficulties, health-related challenges and poor peer relationships.

“It is the duty of government to secure the future of the youth, as such government should take measures to move such youths away from the streets and give them meaningful life.’’

Mullah advised youths to desist from dealing in drugs, saying it is negatively affecting their health and behaviours.

“When you are into drugs, you are changing the genes in your body and you will end up having deformed babies when you marry or die young without achieving your goals.’’

Earlier, Talba said the association would embark on massive sensitization on various campuses to reduce drug abuse in the Northern region.

He said programmes would be organised for students in various institutions to sensitise them of the dangers inherent in drug abuse.

Talba said the campaign would continue until the society was free from drugs and the victims made to become useful to themselves and the region.