The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Drug (NAFDAC), on Wednesday in Lagos, inaugurated a new initiative aimed at tackling the growing menace of drug abuse among teenagers.
The “Catch Them Young” program, which was inaugurated at Immaculate Heart Comprehensive Senior High School, Maryland, Lagos State, seeks to educate secondary school students on the dangers of drug abuse, including poor academic performance, mental health issues, and physical harm.
NAFDAC disclosed this information in a statement on its official X handle, formerly Twitter.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Director of Narcotics and Controlled Substances, Mrs. Yedunmi Adenuga, noted that 14.4 per cent of Nigerians are victims of drug abuse.
The initiative, she said, will emphasise the roles of teachers, parents and communities in fostering a safe and drug-free environment.
As part of the campaign, NAFDAC is re-establishing the NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club (NCSC) in secondary schools to further engage students in the fight against drug abuse, fake drugs, and counterfeit products.
The statement added that the agency encourages students to act as agents of change by promoting positive virtues and resisting peer pressure, noting that NAFDAC’s mission is to nurture both upright and capable of demanding societal accountability.
NAFDAC Launches Initiative To Tackle Drug Abuse Among Youths is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Source: The Whistler
