Drug abuse leads to death, mental disorder, NAFDAC warns students

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Thursday, warned students in Oyo State to avoid alcohol and substance abuse, warning that drug abuse can lead to death, mental health disorders and other adverse effects.

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the call during the “Catch-Them-Young” inauguration of the NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club (NCSC) for secondary school students at Ajibode High School, Akinyele Local Government, Oyo State with the theme “Your Future Counts! Say No to Illicit Drugs and Yes to Life”,

Adeyeye expressed concern over the widespread use of alcohol and substance abuse among adolescents.

NCSC is one of the agency’s special public enlightenment strategies targeting the youths in society in its effort to eradicate fake and substandard regulated products and enthrone a quality culture while employing the use of cutting-edge technology to track counterfeit.

The director-general, who was represented by the Director of NAFDAC’s South West Zone, Mrs. Roseline Ajayi, warned that alcohol and hard substance consumption could severely affect physical, emotional, social, and academic development.

The DG said: “These are very dangerous for adolescents like you, and you must learn to resist the urge to engage in drinking alcohol. Once you start, you may not be able to stop.

“It is high time you as young Nigerians realised that this epidemic of drug, including alcohol abuse is destroying families, the workforce, and destabilizing our economy. All these pose a great threat to the future of good governance in Nigeria.

”Negative consequences of teen drug abuse might include drug dependence, poor judgment, sexual activity, mental health disorders, changes in school performance, and others.

”Health consequences of drug abuse include drug addiction, serious impairment, illness, and death; risk of damage to the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys from long-term use; risk of impairment in memory, learning, problem-solving and concentration; risk of psychosis, such as schizophrenia, hallucination or paranoia.”

Adeyeye also called on the students to be agents of change by propagating the right virtues that orientate through the activities of NCSC.

“NAFDAC’s mission is to mold a future generation that is not only empowered to be upright but demand uprightness from others. The reality is that the fight against drug abuse is a fight for the future of Nigeria.”

In her remarks, Mrs. Ayombo Funmi Ogunyemi, the Assistant Chief Regulator Officer, NAFDAC (SWZ), urged the schools to shun drug abuse and peer pressure. Ogunyemi said their future counted, and they must say no to illicit drug consumption.

Also, the State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mr Samuel Adeyemi, said students, parents, and teachers have roles to play in curbing substance abuse. Adeyemi, therefore urged all to play their unique role for the betterment of society.

The school principal, Mrs. Oyepeju Adedeji appreciated NAFDAC for the gesture, saying the school would keep the flag flying.