The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched the ‘Catch Them Young’ initiative, a programme aimed at educating young Nigerians about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.
Speaking on Thursday at the flag-off ceremony and the launch of NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club at Government Secondary School, Wuye, Abuja, the Director General (DG), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, highlighted the urgent need to tackle drug abuse, particularly among teenagers, who represent a vulnerable segment of society.
According to her, the initiative, which has been launched in 48 schools across the six geo-political zones, including Lagos and FCT, is part of NAFDAC’s broader mandate to collaborate with stakeholders in reducing drug demand and combating substance abuse.
Other schools across the country would benefit from the initiative, she assured.
With an estimated 14.4 percent of Nigerians, approximately 14.3 million people affected by drug abuse, the urgency of intervention cannot be overstated, she said.
The DG emphasized the importance of children avoiding drug and alcohol abuse, citing research that shows that one in four high-risk drug users has been arrested for drug-related offenses, including possession (73%), theft (12%), sex work (5%), burglary (4%), and shoplifting (2%).
She said: “However, these figures only reflect reported cases, suggesting the actual numbers could be significantly higher.
“Additionally, two-thirds of drug users experience serious consequences, such as absenteeism from school or work, poor performance, and neglect of family responsibilities.
“These challenges highlight the urgent need for proactive measures to address drug abuse and safeguard society”. (TheNation)