The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, on Wednesday launched the “Catch Them Young Project: Consumer Safety Club” at Government Girls’ Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, as part of its ongoing fight against drug abuse in Nigeria.
NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the agency’s South-South Zonal Director, Oligbu Chukwuma, called for collaboration from teachers, students, and youths to eradicate the menace of drug abuse in the country.
Professor Adeyeye expressed concern over the rising number of Nigerians affected by drug abuse, revealing that approximately 14.3 million citizens are victims of the problem.
“I am delighted to be here for the inauguration of the NAFDAC Catch Them Young programme, focusing on drug abuse education and awareness to address this menace in Nigeria.
“This initiative is critical because it targets the segment of the population most affected—our youths and, by extension, our teenagers.
“As part of its mandate, NAFDAC seeks to collaborate with stakeholders on drug demand reduction programmes, including campaigns in secondary schools, to combat drug abuse among young Nigerians.
“Our teachers play a vital role in this fight as they spend significant time with students. I urge teachers to work closely with parents or guardians to identify and address behavioural issues in children and see this effort as part of their contribution to building a better society.”
The NAFDAC DG added, “Drug addiction can stem from both legal substances, such as prescribed medicines, and illicit drugs.
“This programme is not meant to scare anyone but to foster honest conversations that will help young people make informed decisions about drug use, including alcohol consumption.”
“NAFDAC has taken the campaign against drug abuse to the grassroots by re-establishing the NCSC in secondary schools.
“We will work with teachers and students to catch them young and prevent lives of addiction and destruction.
“We encourage everyone to be agents of change by promoting values that lead to behavioural transformation.
“It is time for young Nigerians to understand that the epidemic of drug and alcohol abuse is destroying families, crippling the workforce, and destabilizing our economy, all of which pose significant threats to the future of good governance in Nigeria.”
In his remarks, NAFDAC’s Rivers State Coordinator, Onogwu Emmanuel, noted that Government Girls’ Secondary School is among six schools selected across the state to kick-start the campaign against drug abuse.
“This project was flagged off by the NAFDAC DG, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, on 20 September 2024, at Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, FCT, Abuja.
“Your school, Government Girls’ Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, is one of the six schools selected in Rivers State for the project’s commencement.
“The programme will initially cover two schools in each of the three senatorial districts in Rivers State and will subsequently expand to other schools across the state,” he said.
The school’s principal, Gladys Iheumamme, assured the agency of their commitment to ensuring that the club’s objectives and its anti-drug abuse campaign are effectively implemented.
(Daily Post)
