By: Joy Odor/Kaduna
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kaduna State Command has said that drug abuse is categorized in four stages: experimentation, occasional, social and addiction; saying the last stage is the dangerous one that most times needs rehabilitation for the patient.
An official of the Agency, Dr. Ibraheem Baba who represented the State Commander, Mr. Samuel Azige stated this during his lecture at a sensitization and awareness campaign to students of Imam International School, Makarfi Road, Rigasa in Igabi Local Government Area organized the Federation of Muslims Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) in its contribution towards campaign against drug abuse among youth in Kaduna on Thursday.
He informed that all drugs are poisonous especially if they are not used according to the way they are supposed to, adding that drug abuse damages key organs of the body like the kidneys, liver, brain and can also waste life, hence the need for the students to stay off drugs.
Dr. Baba said apart from what government is doing, there is also a need for it to put more effort in trying to make sure that those agencies put in place are given the necessary know how to be able to fight drug abuse effectively.
“Government should take the issue of enlightenment which is a very important aspect in the fight against drug abuse very serious,” he said.
According to him, some of the youth go into drug abuse out of ignorance, but through a forum such as the one FOMWAN has organized to sensitize and enlightened them to understand the dangers and consequences of going into drugs abuse, will reduce the menace.
The Agency’s Official called on the students to ensure that they steer clear of the four categories especially the experimentation which is the process peers usually lure others into the dangerous act.
Similarly, Executive Secretary, Bureau for Substance Abuse, Dr. Baka Shaedouki, said any drugs taken without any necessary medical condition for it or need for it is an abuse of the drugs and is not something one should play with.
Earlier, the Amirah FOMWAN, Kaduna State Chapter, Hajiya Badiyya Sodangi said the rate at which youth especially females get involved in drug abuse is worrisome; and the association cannot fold its arms and watch the future of the nation being destroyed by the menace.
She added that the awareness campaign kicked started from the school will be extended to other schools in the state.
Also in her remarks, the Chairperson, Committee on Drug Abuse and Misuse of the Association, Pharm. Aisha Tukur, said the fight against drug abuse cannot be left for the government alone, hence, as mothers they decided to join the campaign.
Contributing, Mallama Ruqaiya of Al-Hidaya Charity, said nobody can worship his Creator under drug abuse; saying Allah put a curse on drug abusers, peddlers and producers of such drugs, pointing out that the issue of drug abuse is not only a social issue but against the rules and regulations of the Creator of man.
She advised the students that if they want to make Paradise in the hereinafter, they have no choice but to steer clear of drugs.
Mallama Ruqaiya lamented that people who would have contributed positively to the development of the society are roaming the streets and are not in their right frame of mind because of drug abuse.
