The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched a nationwide campaign to educate secondary school students about the dangers of drug abuse.
The program, tagged “NAFDAC-Catch Them Young Consumer Safety Club,” aims to sensitize young people to the risks associated with illicit drug use.
The inauguration of the project took place at Ajibode High School in Ibadan, Oyo State, and was attended by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the NAFDAC Director of South-West zone, Mrs. Roseline Ajayi. The project was initially flagged off for secondary school students in the South-West zone in January.
According to Adeyeye, the program focuses on drug abuse education and awareness campaigns to combat the menace of drug abuse in Nigeria. She emphasized that the fight against drug abuse is crucial for the future of Nigeria, as it affects not only the individual but also the society as a whole.
Key Objectives of the Program
– To educate students about the dangers of drug abuse and its consequences- To promote healthy lifestyles and decision-making among young people
– To collaborate with teachers and schools to prevent drug abuse among students
– To create a network of young people who can support and encourage each other to make positive choices
Adeyeye highlighted the negative consequences of teen drug abuse, including high-risk sexual behavior, mental health disorders, and poor academic performance. She urged students to use their membership in the club to assist in information flow on NAFDAC regulatory activities and promote the fight against drug abuse, fake, and counterfeit regulated products.
The program has received support from school administrators, with the Principal of Ajibode High School, Mrs. Adedeji Oyepeju, expressing hope that the project would yield fruitful results. One student, Miss Victoria Adetona, reported that the program taught her to be self-content, avoid peer pressure, and illicit drug use.
NAFDAC’s efforts to combat drug abuse among young people are part of a broader national strategy to address the menace of drug abuse in Nigeria. By targeting secondary school students, the agency aims to prevent drug abuse before it starts and promote healthy lifestyles among young people