Florence Sadiku
THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has inaugurated the “Catch Them Young” programme at Immaculate Heart Comprehensive Senior High School, Maryland, Lagos State, to tackle the growing menace of drug abuse among teenagers.
The event featured an address by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the Director of Narcotics and Controlled Substances, Mrs. Yedunni Adenuga.
The programme aims to educate secondary school students on the dangers of drug abuse, highlighting its negative consequences, including poor academic performance, mental health issues, and physical harm.
NAFDAC’s Director-General noted that 14.4% of Nigerians are victims of drug abuse, a statistic that underscores the urgent need for awareness campaigns targeting young Nigerians. The initiative also emphasizes the roles of teachers, parents, and communities in fostering a safe and drug-free environment.
As part of the campaign, NAFDAC is re-establishing the NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club (NCSC) in secondary schools to further engage students in the fight against drug abuse, fake drugs, and counterfeit products.
The agency encourages students to act as agents of change by promoting positive virtues and resisting peer pressure. NAFDAC’s mission is to nurture a future generation that is both upright and capable of demanding accountability in society.
Eighteen-Eleven Media