The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has taken the fight against drug abuse to secondary schools.

The inauguration of the project, tagged:”NAFDAC-Catch Them Young Consumer Safety Club (NCSC), was held at Ajibode High School, Ibadan, Oyo State. on Thursday.

The project was inaugurated for secondary school students in South-West zone in January.

The NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the programme aimed to sensitise young people, especially students, on the dangers of drug abuse.

Mrs Adeyeye, represented by the NAFDAC Director of South-West zone, Roseline Ajayi, said that the project focused on drug abuse education and awareness campaign on menace of drug abuse in Nigeria.

Mrs Adeyeye emphasised that the fight against drug abuse was a fight for the future of Nigeria.

According to her, the programme would help the students to take informed decisions with regards to illicit drugs use including alcohol consumption.

Mrs Adeyeye highlighted negative consequences of teen drug abuse to include high-risk sexual behaviour, mental health disorders, and bad grades in performance.

She said, “NAFDAC has taken the campaign against drug abuse to the grass-roots by re-establishing NCSC in secondary schools to collaborate with teachers to catch them young and prevent lives of addiction, destruction. NAFDAC’s mission is to mould a future generation that is not only empowered to be upright, but demand uprightness from others. We deem it expedient to immunise our society against counterfeits by re-orientating our youths through the activities of NCSC.’’

Mrs Adeyeye urged the students to use their membership of the club to assist in information flow on NAFDAC regulatory activities and promote fight against drug abuse, fake and counterfeit regulated products.

She also enjoined the teachers not to be judgemental but always create enabling environment for students to ask questions.

“Don’t stigmatise any student using drugs but offer non-judgmental support,” she said.

In her remarks, Ms Ajayi, said the agency also sensitised the public, including market people, to the dangers of consuming dangerous and illicit drugs.

Ms Ajayi stressed that the agency was concerned about the future of Nigeria, which is the young people.

The Principal of Ajibode High School, Adedeji Oyepeju, hoped that the project would yield a fruitful result.

She said, “We hope that this will be fruitful, save students and make society a drug free world.’’

One of the students from S.S 2, Victoria Adetona, said the programme taught her to be self-content, avoid peer pressure and illicit drug use.

(NAN)