Drug abuse day 2022 ;Foundation sensitize thousands of Nigerians through media on harmful effects drug addiction and drug overdose

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By ibrahima pima

As the world celebrate international day against Drug abuse and illicit trafficking June 26th. The national president foundation for the protection of women and children in Nigeria Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani has says that for the past years, the foundation has been organizing series of campaign in both rural and urban cities while using social media ,sport games, cultural dance to sensitizes thousands of Nigerian youth and adult on harmful effect of drug abuse on the society.

She make the statement during a flag-up of trees campaign in kaduna with the aims of educating the general public on harmful effects of drugs in the society,while calling for tougher punishment for the illegal drugs Vendors across the 36 states of Nigeria.

Plants provide us with food, fiber, shelter, medicine, and fuel. The basic food for all organisms is produced by green plants. In the process of food production, oxygen is released. This oxygen, which we obtain from the air we breathe, is essential to life.

Drug abuse is a global health and social problem with distinct conditions and problems that vary locally . The use of psychoactive substances among adolescents and youths has become a subject of public concern worldwide due to the fact that it contributes potentially to deliberate or un deliberate harm/injury.

She expressed concerned on how house Wives’s are also into drug abused.

Ramatu says, even During Covid 19 lockdown, they were able to sensitizes thousands of Nigerian youth through the social media and other local Radio and broadcast stations on ways to shun drug abused while discouraging teenagers on issues related to locally made cigerate in their communities.

According to her, Drug abuse can affect several aspects of a person’s physical and psychological health. While pointing that Certain drugs can lead to drowsiness and slow breathing, while others may cause insomnia, paranoia, or hallucinations. Chronic drug use is associated with cardiovascular, kidney, and liver disease.

It must be known that The consequences of drug abuse among Nigerian youths have become a stigma of a morally bankrupt, decadent and wasted generation that must be revitalised and collectively salvaged in order to prevent total degeneration and loss of our societal values and ideals.

Studies show that drug use increases your risk of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and psychosis. People with mental health issues also have a higher rate of drug use problems

She warned Taxi, truck, and lorry Drivers against drug abuse while stressing that Alcohol and other drugs can seriously affect your driving skills. You are more likely to have an accident, injuring yourself and/or others. The crash could be fatal.

“Mixing drugs, including alcohol, only increases your risk of having a crash and hence the need for drivers to halt unexpected accident ”

On this International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, I call on governments, the media and civil society to do everything possible to raise awareness of the harm caused by illicit drugs, and to help prevent people profiting from their use

The theme for the year 2022 is “Addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crises”

The main aim of this day is to stop drug use and illicit drug trafficking to save lives. The more educated people are on this topic, the more likely are they to go on a healthier path and choose to forego the unhealthy habit.

Substance-abusing youth are at higher risk than nonusers for mental health problems, including depression, conduct problems, personality disorders, suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide, and suicide

She appealed to Nigerian youth to stay away from drug abuse and be good ambassadors of their families and the society.

While thanking National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for the commitment toward tackling the spread of illegal drugs in the societyshe equally called on women to always monitor their kids

“It clearly shows that the agency is alive to its responsibilities. The main message here today is: ‘Say no to drug abuse’.

“There is nothing good that comes out of illicit drugs. It destroys you as a person; it destroys your family and your communities, and it undermines the government.”

Ramatu who is also an specialist on conflict prevention in Nigeria and ambassador of peace says All tiers of government, national and sub-national, spend a lot of money on drug control.

She commended the leaderships of the agency both at the federal and state levels for their proactive steps and campaigns against abuse of drugs, pledging continuous support for the NDLEA and other relevant bodies to check the crime and mitigate its effects in the society.

She again thanked the traditional rulers for their immense contributions to making their communities crime-free, and the various companies that supported the event.

To prevent drug abuse in Nigeria, the government should, Empower the relevant agencies [NDLEA and the likes] by funding them adequately and allowing them to discharge their duties appropriately.

Sanitize the drug distribution system in the nation and restrict access to dangerous drugs.

She ended by discouraging youth into drugs through the following “No, I’m sorry, but I don’t use….” or “No, I’m really trying to stay clean.” And “No, I’m trying to cut back.”

There should be tougher punishment for illegal drugs dealers in the community

She emphasized on the establishment of drug rehabilitation centers which according to her, This is important for drug abusers, dependants and drug addicts in other to get medical treatment to restore their body physiological and psychological functions.

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