The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has expressed concern over the high rate of drug abuse among youths in Nigeria, warning that drug abuse offers no benefits and poses serious dangers to individuals and society.
The agency said drug abuse among young people has become a major source of concern nationwide.
The Deputy Commander of NDLEA in Osun State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Adegoke, stated this on Tuesday while delivering a lecture at a two-day orientation programme for newly admitted students of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun, Osun State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture was themed “Healthy Living on Campus: Avoiding Drug Abuse and Its Long-Term Consequences.”
Adegoke noted that many youths who engage in drug abuse eventually become a source of sorrow to their families and society at large.
According to her, drug abuse is the root cause of many criminal activities in the country, as criminals often commit offences under the influence of illicit substances.
She warned students to stay away from drugs, explaining that drug abuse could result in severe physical, psychological, and social problems.
The deputy commander identified factors contributing to drug abuse to include peer pressure, ignorance, easy availability of drugs, and family background, among others.
She also cautioned students against excessive materialism, stressing that drug abuse could lead to premature death, brain damage, and other serious health complications.
“Drug abuse has no benefits. Stay away from it. Do not associate with those who engage in drug abuse; instead, focus on your studies and strive for excellence,” Adegoke advised.
She further pledged that the NDLEA would continue to intensify its efforts to combat drug abuse across the country.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun, Prof. Akeem Lasisi, disclosed that 1,200 new students had been admitted into the institution.
Lasisi, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Monsuru Adegoke, warned students against cybercrime, indecent dressing, cultism, and other social vices.
He stated that any student found violating the rules and regulations of the university would face appropriate sanctions.
The vice-chancellor, however, assured the students that the institution would continue to provide a conducive environment to support academic excellence.
The orientation programme also featured sessions on the university’s code of conduct, dress code violations and sanctions, mental health awareness, an overview of the student handbook, and guidelines on accessing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
