The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has urged young Nigerians and students to steer clear of illicit drugs and alcohol abuse, warning of the severe risks to their well-being, the nation’s economy, and the future of governance in Nigeria.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojislola Adeyeye, made this appeal yesterday during the inauguration of the NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club (NCSC) at Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo Town, as part of the agency’s ‘Catch-Them-Young’ initiative aimed at tackling drug abuse among secondary school students.

In a keynote address themed ‘Your Future Counts: Say No to Illicit Drugs and Yes to Life,’ Adeyeye, represented by the Oyo State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mr Samuel Adeyemi, highlighted the programme’s importance in addressing drug abuse among teenagers and youths, who she described as the most vulnerable group.

She disclosed that six schools across the senatorial districts of Oyo State have been selected for the initiative. According to her, the NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club is one of the agency’s public enlightenment strategies to eradicate fake and substandard products, promote quality culture, and employ advanced technology to combat counterfeiters.

In a presentation titled ‘The Role of NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club in Safeguarding the Health of the Nation,’ Oyo State Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer of NAFDAC, Mrs Adeyombo Ogunyemi, said the programme aims to reduce drug abuse among youths to the barest minimum while serving as a platform for informed decision-making and public enlightenment.

The Senior Prefect of Olivet Baptist High School, Salako Feranmi, commended the initiative and pledged to educate her peers on the dangers of drug abuse.

The school’s principal, Mr Gabriel Olagbenro, described the programme as a significant milestone in sensitising and educating students on the dangers of illicit drugs. He stressed that it would equip students with knowledge and skills to safeguard their health, which is essential for their academic performance.

Olagbenro urged the students to embrace the initiative, enriching their understanding of health-related issues and empowering them to make informed decisions about their well-being.