NRC-NPAOD Sensitizes Secondary School Students on ills and need to shun drug abuse

The Nigerian Red Cross Society Calabar Ports Open Detachment (NRC-NPAOD) on Thursday organised a One Day Sensitisation programme on Drugs and Substance abuse for Senior Secondary School Students in Calabar.

The Commandant of NRC-NPAOD, Dr Chijioke Ukadike said the event became necessary in view of the devastating effect of drug abuse and illicit drugs use among teenagers in the country.

“We all know that drug abuse and use of illicit drugs are becoming prevalence in our society today.

“We in NPA looked at this societal ill which has become a menace in our society and decided to take this opportunity to enlighten the youths on the dangers for the sake of their future, ” he said.

Ukadike advised the youths to abstain from illicit use of drugs and drug abuse as it could jeopardize their education and impede their future endeavors.

In her presentation, Mrs Hadiza Abdulsalam, Calabar Port Occupational Health Officer said on a daily basis, about 3,300 teens smoke weed across the world. “Nearly 3,300 teens try weed for the first time every day, ” she said.

According to her, the situation was an “undeniable problem that is impacting high School teens across the globe.”

“Globally, 25 per cent of youth population are prone to drug abuse while 5.8 per cent of the adult population use drugs, ” Abdulsalam said.

She advised the students to avoid drug abuse, adding that it could ruin their future.

The event was held at the Federal Airports Authority (FAAN) Secondary School Calabar with students from various Secondary Schools attending.

Meanwhile, the event also witnessed presentation of prizes to winners of an Essay Competition earleir organised by the NPAOD as part of the sensitisation.

The topic for the Essay was: “What I can do to prevent Drug Abuse, or “My role in Drug Abuse Prevention”.

The first position went to Miss Ekpenyong Essien of Government Secondary School, Akim Quo, Calabar who received N30,000 cash

Miss Ogrinya Precious Odey of Government Girls Secondary School, Big Quo Calabar won the second position with a cash prize of N20,000 and Miss Emediong Fabian of Federal Government Girls College, Calabar received N10,000 for the third place.

The Essay Competition involved eight secondary schools in Calabar.