Kaduna (Nigeria) — National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has expressed willingness to tackle rising cases of drug abuse among the youth.
Kaduna State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Dadi Mullah, made this known Wednesday, when he received a delegation of Northern Nigeria Students’ Association, led by its President, Hamza Talba.
Mullah expressed concern over increasing cases of youths in drug abuse and drug related crimes in higher institutions in Nigeria.
“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 address drug related crimes in schools in the region.
Mullah said urgent measures must be taken by government by engaging the youth in various skill acquisition programmes that would keep them away from drug abuse and drugs related crimes.
“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 negatively affected 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 sensitisation on various campuses to reduce drug abuse in the Northern Region.
He said programmes would be organised for students in various institution 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. (NAN)
