The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has disclosed that approximately 14.3 million Nigerians suffer from drug abuse.
This was made known by the Director General of the Agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye at the inaugural ceremony of the agency’s youth programme, tagged, ‘’Catch Them Young,’’ held at the Government Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.
Prof. Adeyeye stated that research showed that one out of every four high-risk drug users has been arrested for drug-related offences.
She pointed out that the arrest included 73 per cent for drug possession, 12 per cent for theft, five per cent for sex work, four per cent for burglary, and two per cent for shop lifting.
“Note that this data only shows the number of arrests; if we consider that most crimes are unreported, then we will see that we have a huge problem on hands,’’ she said.
DG Adeyeye posited that drug abuse has negative effects on families, society, and the nation’s socio-economic development. Hence, the need for NAFDAC initiation of a comprehensive, coordinated, and intensive programme, designed to reduce the prevalence of drug abuse among secondary school students.
“This programme is not designed to scare anyone but to have honest conversations with you.
“This will help you to take informed decisions with regards to illicit drug use, including alcohol consumption,’’ she said.
