NDDC Partners NDLEA on campaign against illicit drugs, substance abuse
Excessive and repetitive use of psychoactive drugs and substance, such as alcohol, pain medications and illegal drugs have been identified as remote causes of mental disorder, physical, social and emotional harm to the youths in the society.
The indices were given during a 2 day sensitisation workshop organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in collaboration with Hauge logistics Limited for about twenty selected schools across the three Senatorial Districts of the state held at Francine’s Place Hotel, Uyo.
In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDDC, Mr Samuel Ogbuku said “the commission is committed to collaborate with key stakeholders, including government agencies, security bodies and educational institutions, with a view to educating students on the dangers of drug abuse, empower youths to make informed decisions and establish student ambassadors to promote awareness on the dangers of illicit drugs”.
Dr Ogbuku, who spoke through The Akwa Ibom State Director of The Niger Delta Development Commission, Engr. Evong Moduck Evong expressed concern about the rising cases of drugs and substance abuse, especially amongst primary and secondary school pupils/students.
He expressed the commission’s avowed resolve to aid in offering a lasting solution to the menace.
While urging teachers to always sensitise their students on the dangers associated with drug abuse, the NDDC boss implored the students to take the message gotten from the seminar to their peers in their various schools.
On his part, the Akwa Ibom State Commander of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency- NDLEA, Mrs Obot Bassey, represented by the State Deputy Commander, Mr Sylvanus Ugwu lauded NDDC for her people -centered programmes across the Niger Delta Region, noting that fight against drug abuse should be everyone’s business and called on all hands to be on deck in order to curb abuse of substances in various communities.
The Commissioner for Health, AKS, Dr Ekem John who was represented at the event by the Director of Public Health, Dr Etop Antai intimated the gathering that plan was on the way by the Akwa Ibom State government with to establish a legal framework with the aim of banning and prohibiting certain retroviradrugs as well as prevent its accessibility and other abused drugs.
He advised against self medication, stressing that any drugs taken by individuals should be based on doctor’s prescription, as excessive intake of drugs and other hard substances usually lead to negative effects in the central nervous system thereby causing mood and perception changes, as well as speed or slow of brain activities.
Dr John enumerated the dangers of drug abuse to include mental health problems, low productivity, poor performance for students, brain, liver, and kidney damage. Others are reduction of decision-making abilities as well as spreading of infectious diseases among others. He explained that the psychoactive substances that can be inhaled, swallowed, and injected are transmitted to the brain.
In his remarks, the lead faclicitator from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mr Otu Umosen said that the Agency is committed to controlling the supply of hard drugs and reducing its demands, maintaining that there will be no demand when there’s no supply.
“Some of the youths take drugs to feel among while some are lured into it by their peers. Some people deal on illegal drugs, and after getting money through illegal means, inject it into legitimate businesses, and that is why when they are caught, we seize every business linked to them, “he added.
He decried the high rate at which narcotics, such as codeine, tramadol and other pains killing drugs are predominantly misused by youths for wrong purposes and urged the students to always report to their teachers, any case of drug abuse in their schools.
According to him, stage of drugs abuse includes; experimental, stage, occasional stage as well as regular and addictive stage and advised people to live and encourage others a drug free life through prevention, education and goal setting.
Some of the students who spoke thanked NDDC and NDLEA for organising the seminar for them, pledging that the experience gathered at the workshop will go a long way in educating their peers and other youths.
Mr Philip Udoh, a teacher from Nduo Eduo High School, Okon Eket, thanked NDDC for the opportunity given to their school even as he called for intensive effort by the commission for regular awareness as an intervenist agency inorder to educate more youths.
The highlight of the event was an interactive session between the students and the facilitators.