Mrs. Adeyeye Mojisola, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has revealed that approximately 14.3 million Nigerians are involved in drug abuse.
This was disclosed during the inaugural ceremony of the agency’s youth-focused initiative, “Catch Them Young,” held on Wednesday at Government Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to her, research findings show that one out of every four high-risk drug users has been arrested for drug-related offences. These arrests comprise 73 per cent for drug possession, 12 per cent for theft, five per cent for sex work, four per cent for burglary, and two per cent for shoplifting.
“Note that this data only shows the number of arrests; if we consider that most crimes are unreported, then we will see that we have a huge problem on hands,’’ she said.
Mrs. Adeyeye, however, noted the negative effects of drug abuse on families, society, and the nation’s socio-economic development.
She explained that the situation caused NAFDAC to initiate a comprehensive, coordinated, and intensive programme, designed to reduce the prevalence of drug abuse among secondary school students.
According to the DG, drug addiction can rise from both prescribed medicines and illicit drugs.
“This programme is not designed to scare anyone but to have honest conversations with you. This will help you to take informed decisions with regards to illicit drug use, including alcohol consumption,’’ NAFDAC DG assured