DRUG ABUSE: NYSC organises sensitization for people of Calabar

Emmanuel Alfred

The Drug-Free Community Development Service Group (CDS) of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 took to the streets of Calabar, Cross River State to sensitize people on the menace of drug abuse in the ancient City.

The initiative, which was established by the National Drug Agencies- National Agency for Drugs, Administration and Control and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency seeks to address the issues of drugs abuse, identifying drug authenticity (knowing whether a drug is original or fake) and drug expiration (observing the expiry dates of drugs).

The Corp members carried placards with different inscriptions on them and also spoke with the people on how best to handle drugs. They also engaged some citizens on meaningful conversations regarding the proper use of drugs.

“This is a voluntary activity that was organized and incorporated into our NYSC calendar and we have seen how devastating drug abuse is in the lives of both the old and young, so we are only happy to be a part of this”. One of the Corp members said.

On the frequency of the actually, another Corp member said: “We do this every Tuesday by going to different market places to inform people and I must say the reception we have been getting is encouraging”.

“The number of people who are suffering from heart related issues, mental issues, psychological issues and even untimely death is on the increase and we can’t sit back and watch matters deteriorate”. She added.

This initiative, we have learnt is not just particular to the Calabar Metropolis, but every State in the country has their own CDS group and are doing the same thing they are doing in Calabar