Desist from consumption of illicit drugs…Mr. Elijah Mohammed

Youths have been advised to desist from consumption of illicit drugs to avoid jeopardizing their future. The Registrar Pharmacists Council of Nigeria Mr. Elijah Mohammed gave the advice at an advocacy workshop on drug and substance abuse organized for secondary school students in Owerri.

He said latest survey revealed that more than fourteen million Nigerians between the ages of fifteen and fifty four were engaged in drug and substance abuse with cannabis ranking highest.

Mr. Mohammed maintained that apart from health risks posed by consumption of illicit drugs the habit had the capacity to promote criminality. The Imo state governor Chief Emeka Ihedioha called for aggressive campaign against drug misuse to check its devastating effects on the society.

Governor Ihedioha who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media Mr. Steve Osuji said government would collaborate with relevant agencies to discourage drug abuse in the state. An Olympic medalist and Assistant Commissioner of Police Mrs. Chioma Ajunwa-Opara who was guest at the event cautioned the youths against substance abuse noting that security agencies were determined to enforce laws prohibiting the act.

Correspondent reports there were goodwill messages from representatives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and NAFDAC.

Chinazo Ilechukwu