EVIL OF HARD DRUGS UNVEILED

- - At youth group's school event

At a time when drug abuse is ravaging Nigerian youths, a
non-governmental organisation, Prince Decson Save Child Foundation, is
pressing on with what could pass for palliative measures. The group is
using seminars, workshops and education to keep youths out of drugs
and other social vices.

Recently, Prince Decson Save Child Foundation engaged students at
Topfield College, Awodi-Ora, Ajegunle, Lagos, in a progamme aimed at
educating on the evil of hard drugs. Tagged, "the effect of dangerous
drugs on the Nigerian child," the programme, according to the group,
aimed at "building a lasting and strong awareness, in the minds of
youths, on the effect of drug abuse."

Interestingly, the programme had in attendance vice chairman of
Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hon Obinna Nwabueze;
regulatory officer, National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC), Mr. Ogidan Sunday Asuseyi and divisional police
officer, (DPO), Ajeromi Ifelodun area, Mr Silva C. Chinedu, among
others. Students, from many schools in the local council, were also
present.

President of the foundation, Mr Eustace E.C. Njoku, in his opening
remarks, recommended that for anybody to assume a certain post in
government, he or she must pass a drug test. Also, he recommended that
the military should ban soldiers from use of drugs and enforce it. He
would also want Federal Government to ban cigarettes as well as
monitor use of alcohol in the country.

Njoku urged Nigerians to support the foundation in achieving its
goals, both morally and financially.

Mr. Asuseyi, on his part, gave a lecture, in which he defined drug to
be chemical substances that affect the normal function of the brain.

He said: "Drugs are divided into three main classes, linear drugs,
illegal drugs and socially acceptable drugs. Drug abuse or misuse is
the taking of under dose drugs, overdose drugs or drugs without the
prescription of a medical expert. Drug abuse is dangerous to the human
system; in the case of under dose it gives bacteria in the body the
strength to fight the drug; overdose can also harm the body system.
The one we fight is the illegal drug, which are hard drugs that are
bound by the government of a state due to the much harm it does to the
body."

The NAFDAC chief classified cocaine, heroin and India hemp are
socially acceptable drugs. He, however, said that they contain
chemicals that can be harmful to the human body.

He revealed that a recent research carried out by NAFDAC proved that
70 per of Nigeria youths use cannabis, or Indian herm. Also. He said
that 80 percent of people in psychiatric homes are youth, revealing
that what push youths into drugs are unemployment, family issues, peer
group pressure and easy access to these drugs.

"People are trying to run away from the reality of life and then run
into drugs. The advice we have for youths is to live a drug-free
life," he advised.

The vice chairman Ajeromi Ifelodun council, advised the student to
shun use of drugs, as they would cause them more harm than good.

"Drugs use would cause you to drop out of school. There is no reason
for one to drop out of school, for education is the best legacy and
the most costly thing parents can give to their heirs," he declared,
while advising youth to listen to elders and teachers.