, Launches Youth Initiative to Tackle Crisis
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Port Harcourt, Jan. 22, 2025 (NAN) – Approximately 14.3 million Nigerians are victims of drug abuse, according to Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). She disclosed this alarming statistic during the inaugural ceremony of NAFDAC’s youth programme, “Catch Them Young,” held at Government Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt.
Research findings indicate that one in four high-risk drug users has been arrested for drug-related offences. Arrests include 73% for drug possession, 12% for theft, 5% for sex work, 4% for burglary, and 2% for shoplifting. “These numbers only reflect reported arrests; the true scale of the problem is much larger due to unreported crimes,” Adeyeye stated.
Highlighting the negative impact of drug abuse on families, society, and Nigeria’s socio-economic development, Adeyeye emphasized the need for urgent action. She explained that NAFDAC’s initiative aims to reduce drug abuse prevalence among secondary school students by engaging them in informed discussions about the dangers of both legal (e.g., prescribed medicines) and illicit drugs, including alcohol.
State Coordinator Mr. Onogwu Emmanuel noted that secondary school students are particularly vulnerable, which is why the pilot phase targets schools across Rivers State’s three senatorial zones. The principal of Government Secondary School, Gladys Iheumamme, commended NAFDAC for the programme, urging sustained efforts to secure the future of Nigerian youth.
The initiative seeks to empower the younger generation to make informed decisions and combat the growing drug abuse crisis in the country.
