NAFDAC Inaugurates Consumer Health Club In Anambra School
The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has advised youths and adolescents to avoid the temptation of engaging in drug abuse.
Prof. Christiana Adeyeye, Director General of NAFDAC gave advice during the inauguration of NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club (NCSC) at Community Secondary school, Okpuno, Awka on Friday.
Adeyeye who was represented by Pharm Louis Madubuattah Deputy Director and State Coordinator NAFDAC in Anambra said NCSC was one of the agency’s special public enlightenment strategies targeting youths in the effort to eradicate fake/substandard regulated products.
He said NAFDAC was taking the campaign against drug abuse to the grass roots by re-establishing NCSC in secondary schools where it would collaborate with the school teachers to work with students to catch-them-young and prevent life of addiction and destruction.
“We enjoin you to be agents of change by propagating the right virtues that can lead to behavioural change.
“Use your membership of NCSC to assist in information flow on NAFDAC regulatory activities and promote the fight against drug abuse, fake and counterfeit regulated products.
“NAFDAC’s mission is to mould a future generation that is not only empowered to be upright, but demand uprightness from others,” he said.
Madubuatta described drug abuse as excessive use of psychoactive drugs, such as alcohol, pain medications or illegal drugs which could lead to physical, social or emotional harm.
He listed negative consequences of teen drug abuse to include drug dependence, poor judgment, high-risk sexual behaviour, mental health disorders and changes in school performance.
“A recent household drug use survey revealed that prescription drug abuse is a fast-emerging public health problem that has led to increasing poly-drug use amongst drug dependent persons.
“It is estimated that 14.4 percent or 14.3 million Nigerians are victims of drug abuse, this is alarming,” he said.
Mrs Chioma Agina and Mrs Immaculata Nwankwo were appointed as facilitators of the club.
The NAFDAC team was received by Mrs Maureen Onwuemenam, principal of the CSS Okpuno who thanked the organisation and assured that she would ensure it
yielded the intended result.
