Home News News Article

DRUG ABUSE: ONDO MoH, NDLEA BEGIN SCHOOL CHILDREN SENSITIZATION

Image

Bisi Lawani
October 18, 2024

The Ondo State Ministry of Health and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has collaborated to sensitize Students in public schools on the dangers of abuse.

The team, led by the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Health, Dr Adeniran Ikuomola and the Commandant of the NDLEA, Mr Nanzing David Sallah was on a sensitization visit to Akure High School, to mark the beginning of the sensitization exercise across some public schools in the State.

Speaking at Akure High School, the Permanent Secretary lamented the alarming rate of drug and substance abuse in the State and emphasized that young school Children are mostly at risk.
He noted that giving sensitization is key to reducing the damaging scourge of the abuse, disclosing that the State Ministry of Health is at the frontline to curb the menace in our society.
Ikuomola explained that Drug itself is not dangerous but the abuse for pleasurable use poses great danger and the most commonly abused drug in the State, according to him, is Marijuana, Tramadol, Monkey Tail and Skushis.

Speaking on the consequences, the Permanent Secretary said abuse of drug can lead to health challenges such as madness, stroke, depression and even death.
He averred that the State Government is interested in riding the State of substance abuse which necessitated the sensitization of School Children in the three senatorial districts in the State.
He urged the Students to say no to drug abuse because of the life long effects on their health which may deny them of achieving their dreams of being successful in the future.

The Commandant of the National Drug Law enforcement Agency, Ondo State Command, Mr Nanzing David Sallah, in his presentation appreciated the State Ministry of Health for being at the forefront of waging war against drug abuse in the State.
Speaking on the dangers of drug abuse, the Commandant stated that abuse of drug is capable of destroying their lives if they get involved in it while urging them to shun drug abuse as they have brighter future ahead of them.

In the presentation of the Deputy Commandant of Narcotics, Drug Demand Reduction Unit (DDRU), Mrs Yetunde Jeyifous, she revealed that from the NDLEA record, about 40 per cent of Nigerian youths between 18 and 35 years, are involved in abuse of drugs nationally and the need to sensitize and educate the School Students on the dangers is important .

The Desk Officer for the Information State Drug Control Committee, Pharmacist Courage Oyeto, said the committee is poised to reduce the scourge of the substance abuse in the State to the barest minimum.
She added that the Children are the most at risk from the State record and cases in Ondo State and this, she said, explained the reason the awareness campaign is targeted at School Children.
"We are catching them young to prevent future abuse and also equip them with necessary information and education on the dangers of drug/substance abuse"
For this exercise, about 12 schools will be visited in the three senatorial districts of the State.