The management of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Rivers State, has urged underaged children and students to shun the use of unprescribed drugs and its misuse in the society.
The agency appealed to students to always seek for prescribed drugs by qualified pharmacists and doctors, noting that unprescribed drugs are dangerous to health.
This was made known by the state Coordinator, NAFDAC, Mrs Chinelo Ejeh in Port Harcourt during a sensitisation campaign at the Model Girls Secondary School, Mbodo Aluu in conjunction with corps members drawn from Ikwerre Local Government Area,.
She said the aim of the campaign was to enlighten and educate the students and youths on the ills of consuming unprescribed drugs and reduce it uses.
Ejeh who described unprescribed drugs and misuse as poisonous to health, insisted that youths should not indulge in such unholy act as it is inimical to the growth of the society.
Describing the students as the bedrock and leaders of tomorrow, Ejeh said drug abuse and misuse had ruined the future of potential youths and destroyed their lives.
“Don’t take drugs that is not approved or prescribed by a qualified pharmacist or medical doctor, such unprescribed drugs are poisonous to health and can kill”, Ejeh said.
NAFDAC, she said was basically established to regulate, monitor and control the use of drugs and beverages and other products in the society.
She told the students that drug abuse bred criminalities, armed robbery, kidnapping and other anti-social vices in the society.
Ejeh appealed to the students, youths and parents to refrain from indulging in drug abuse and misuse, but seek medical attention when in need of any drug.
Also speaking, leader of the NYSC CDS, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Otoki Oluwa Damilola said the group embarked on the campaign with the agency to reduce the spate of drug abuse and misuse in the society.
She noted that the dangers of drug abuse was greatly affecting the younger generation.

Chinedu Wosu