NDLEA Official Lists Dangers Of Drug Abus

Drug abuse, a common habit among young people of the times, including women of child-bearing age, has been identified as another cause of early menopause as well as complications in pregnancies.
Stella-Maris Amede of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) revealed this at a one-day drug abuse awareness seminar organised by the Rivers State Government in conjunction with the Cay Wood Brown Foundation and the NDLEA at the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion  in Port Harcourt, last Sunday.
Amede who noted that a lot of women and young girls now indulge in drug abuse said this act affected them adversely especially during childbearing thereby increasing the rate of maternal complications and deaths across the globe.
Amede said “drug abuse has a lot of consequences. It has been observed that a lot of women now indulge in drug abuse and this affects them especially during childbearing. Drug abuse among women could also lead to early menopause and severe complications in pregnancies and that is why we are warning every woman and indeed all to stay away from this act”.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo described drug abuse as the impulsive or inappropriate use of a mood swinging drug habitually without a physician’s prescription, which negatively impacts on the human brain and body.
Represented by the Director of Administration, Office of the Deputy Governor, Ben Roberts, Harry said the negative impact of drug abuse was capable of destroying not only the individual who indulged in it but the entire society and nation at large.
The deputy governor maintained that it was expedient for government and stakeholders to synergise and mobilise the entire citizenry to nip the menace in the bud, regretting that it might get to the threshold of exponential proportion and becomes a public health emergency if not tackled.
On her part, the coordinator, Cay Wood Brown Foundation, Miss Uki Asemota disclosed that the decision to organize the Drug Abuse Awareness Seminar was informed by the result of a survey conducted by the foundation.