PRESS RELEASE
The Lamido of Adamawa, HRH DrMuhammedBarkindoAliyu Mustapha represented by the District head of Jimeta Dan Isan Adamawa Alh. Mohammed Inuwa Baba Paris tasked parents and communities on the ill of drug abuse.
He made the assertion during the flagging off of the NAFDAC youth against drug abuse stakeholders consultative meeting held at nurses house Jimeta -Yola Adamawa state.
The Traditional ruler urged parents to serve as positive role model to their children.
The Monarch noted that, for many children, the most important role models are their parents and caregivers who help to shape how they behave in schools, relationship or when making difficult decisions. Parents and caregivers can intervene by emphasising that those role models who embrace inappropriate behaviour, violence, racism, sexism and drug and alcohol abuse are not acceptable, therefore, tasked parents to help their children choose positive role models.
He identified parental monitoring and supervision as a veritable tool in preventing children from associating with deviant peers.
He also called for building positive relationship between families, schools and community groups to enhance collaboration and information sharing as children may likely find it easier to access support outside the home when they live in a cohesive neighbourhood with formal facilities that encourage participation and achievement
The ruler assured NAFDAC of traditional institution’s support to rid the society of the menace.
The DG NAFDAC, represented by the NEZ coordinator Pharm Ibrahim Sabo Adamu observed that drug use and abuse are the obvious reasons why many youths have taken to heinous crimes.
She observed that the rising menace of drug abuse in the country posed a great danger to internal security leading to incidence of armed robbery, kidnapping, terrorism, militancy etc.
It is in view of the magnitude of the problem NAFDAC came up with strategies to curb the menace at all levels of the society, one of which is the collaboration with the young pharmacist group of Nigeria (YPG) in carrying out drug demand reduction campaign particularly in schools, tagged (YADA) youth against drug abuse.
The president of YPG Adamawa state,PharmJaphet Paul Saád stated that the National survey on drug use and health (NSDUH) revealed that one out of seven persons aged 15-64yrs had used a drug other than tobacco and alcohol in the past year, hence the need for urgent intervention as most youths were exposed to drug abuse in schools.
He said the fight against drug abuse is a fight for all sectors of the society, traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents, drug manufacturers, importers, government and non-governmental organizations.
Goodwill messages were delivered by NDLEA, Police,Ministry of youth and sports,PSN,NOA,NSCDS and other invited stakeholders.
