NEWS

FG RAISES AWARENESS AGAINST DRUG ABUSE

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has raised awareness against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Nigeria.

 

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry who was represented by the Director Legal Services Department, Garba  Haganawega stated this during the Sensitization  programme to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and illicit trafficking at Government Secondary School, Masaka, Nasarawa State.

 

He said, “it is important to honour those who have lost their lives to drugs and pledged the Ministry’s  commitment to join relevant stakeholders in putting an end to the circle of destruction of lives  especially among the Nigerian Youths” .

 

 Continuing, “he attributed many factors that have influenced drug abuse such as pressure group, declined family value system, parents not playing their roles and children not receiving proper guidance from parents and teachers” .

 

“The most effective tool to combat substance abuse in the country is to strengthen prevention programmes approach”

 

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has to embarked on the sensitization campaign to teach students and the general public about the risks of drug abuse, adding that treatment programmes are also effective to help those that are already in the circle of the abuse.

 

Going further, “he noted that treatment of drug and substance abuse are serious national problems and that drug dealers in the communities be reported to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to stem down, seize the flow and strengthen regional cooperation to combat cross-border flow of illicit drugs”.

 

The theme for year is “Addressing Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crisis” as the overall objective of the programme is geared towards working together to enable a drug free community.

 

In managing the humanitarian aspect in the reduction of drug abuse, the Ministry has worked hard to decrease alcohol and other substances use among health social issues associated with displaced persons who do self medication against trauma, mental health problems in the IDP Camps. The Ministry has also taken the awareness campaign to educational institutions through it’s curriculum on drug abuse from early years to help reshape the mindsets to building a drug free society among children.

 

Earlier, the representative of the DG of NDLEA, MR. Augustine Tokah said it is good to raise awareness on the dangers of illicit drugs, last year the United Nations brought a slogan, “share fact about drugs and save life” and that many lies were told about it which affected the youths even more negatively.

 

This Year’s Theme is, “Addressing Drug Challenges in Health  and Humanitarian Crises” it’s negative effect on the lungs, kidney and rehabilitation of clients which are  humanitarian crises.

 

He was full of gratitude to the Ministry for providing cookery items and laptops and experts to coach the Children to be responsible persons in the society.

 

The Principal of the School, Mrs.Auta Rosemary expressed her appreciation to the Ministry for the benefits from the sensitization and awareness programme on drug abuse which she said is a destructive norm among the youths.

 

Other dignitaries present were the Assistant Director Special Duties of the Ministry Mrs Dinatu Wuya, Zainab Khalid presenter of CERANY and other dignitaries and students.

 

Adeyemo Felicia

Chief Information Officer

For:DD Information