The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has urged corps members to shun drug/substance abuse to protect them against its adverse effects.

The NYSC coordinator in Rivers, Moses Oleghe, stated this during a sensitisation exercise at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Nowa Tai.

The exercise was being organised in collaboration between the scheme and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). 

Mr Olege said the programme was designed to sensitise the corps members on the need to join the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA).

He said that personnel of the agency and camp officials led corps members on a rally to mark the end of NDLEA sensitisation lectures in the camp.

Mr Oleghe, who decried the spate of drug abuse in the society, charged corps members to be in the forefront of the campaign against menace rather than being victims.

The coordinator charged them to stay drug free, work hard and join other stakeholders in nation building; rather allowing themselves to become mentally sick persons, who exist to torment family peace and happiness.

Earlier, Steven Nwogu, chief superintendent of narcotics, NDLEA, said the agency was educating the corps members on the need to join the war against drug abuse to curb the menace in the society.

Mr Nwogu said the severe negative consequences of drug abuse exposed victims to mental, emotional, psychological, physical, financial and social consequences, among others. 

(NAN)