PUWI, NDLEA FLAG OFF SENSITIZATION ON ANTI DRUG ABUSE IN ABUJA SCHOOLS

Oru Leonard

Prime Unique Women Initiative, (PUWI) in collaboration with National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday flagged off sensitization of schools in Abuja on the dangers of drug abuse as well as security tips in the face of challenging situation in the country.

Dr. Mrs. Folake Yobah, the President, Prime Unique Women Initiative, said the sensitization and training programme became necessary against the backdrop of the rising spate of crimes and criminality across many parts of the country which is often linked to drug abuse.

“Research has shown that perpetrators of these crimes are often pushed into the acts by the abuse of hard drugs. So we found this initiative very strategic” she added.

She noted that the programme targeted the young ones who are of school age, hence the school managers formed the participants with the believe that they will carry the message across to their various schools.

“Bringing out the these schools managers today is for them to be trained on how to train students on how to abstain from drug abuse” explained the PUWI President.

Mrs. Ola Olaniyen, Assistant Director, and Head of Unit, Secondary Education Board, described the initiative as a step in the right direction bordering on drug abuse which she said has taken a worrisome dimension not only in tertiary and secondary Schools but also in primary schools.

According to Olaniyen, the organization and structure of the programme is good, stressing that it is train the trainer programme which will have multiplier effects on others who are not currently participating in the project.

“The whole initiative is a good one because it borders on drug abuse that effects the students; And the way the thing is structured and organized is good because this is train the trainer programme where the teachers are trained on the evil of drug abuse and its prevention so that they will go back to their individual schools and train their colleagues and also train the students” she said.

Speaking during the event, Mrs. Ighekpe Christy, Deputy Commander, NDLEA, explained what constitutes drug abuse and how to avoid falling victim.

According to her, drug is said to be abuse when its use is legally prohibited by the government, when the use is not medically necessary, and also when it is excessively used such as the case of alcohol or cigarettes.

The NDLEA personnel, listed dangerous and hard drugs to include Cocaine, Amphetamine, Benzodiazepines, Tobacco, Cigarettes, Heroin, and marijuana among others.

She said that the drugs are classified according to their unique effects on the users, stressing that while some act as depressants, others act as stimulants or halucinogens.

Clement Nse, Executive Director, Skyhigh Security Safety and Skills Limited, a resource person, who spoke on issues of security at the event, said Nigeria is in a very critical stage hence security cannot be overlooked.

He said gone are the days when security is left only for the law enforcement agents, stressing that all hands need to be on deck to ensure security of the majority of the people.

“Security has become the order of the day. We need to discuss security, we need to give capacity on security. We need to make Nigerians realize that security does not only lies on the law enforcement agents but one of a collective responsibility”.

According to Nse, his topic dwelled on equipping the youths with the right knowledge for responsibly securing oneself and indeed the community in which they live in.