The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has expressed concern over the rising rate of drug abuse among youths in the country.
The agency said substance abuse among young people had become a major public health and social challenge in Nigeria.
The Deputy Commander of the NDLEA in Osun State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Adegoke, stated this on Tuesday while delivering a lecture at a two-day orientation programme for newly admitted students of the Federal University of Health Sciences (FUHSI), Ila-Orangun, Osun State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture was themed “Healthy Living on Campus: Avoiding Drug Abuse and Its Long-Term Consequences.”
Adegoke said many youths who engaged in drug abuse had become a source of pain to their families and society, noting that substance abuse was a major driver of criminal activities in the country.
According to her, many crimes are committed under the influence of drugs, urging students to shun drug abuse and its associated dangers.
She explained that drug abuse could result in serious physical, psychological and social problems, including addiction, mental illness and poor academic performance.
The NDLEA official identified peer pressure, ignorance, easy access to drugs and family background as some of the factors contributing to drug abuse among youths.
She also warned students against excessive materialism, stressing that drug abuse could lead to premature death, brain damage and other long-term health complications.
“Drug abuse has no benefit. Stay away from it. Do not associate with people who engage in drug abuse. Rather, focus on your studies and strive for excellence,” she advised.
Adegoke assured that the NDLEA would continue to intensify efforts to curb drug abuse across the country through enforcement and sensitization.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Akeem Lasisi, disclosed that the institution admitted 1,200 new students for the academic session.
Lasisi, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Monsuru Adegoke, warned the students against cybercrime, cultism, indecent dressing and other social vices.
He said any student found violating the university’s rules and regulations would be appropriately sanctioned, while assuring that the institution would continue to provide a conducive environment for academic excellence.
The students were also educated on the university’s code of conduct, dress code and sanctions, mental health issues, an overview of the student handbook, and access to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), among other topics.
