NAFDAC CHIEF URGES YOUTHS TO SHUN DRUGS

Lagos - Chief Regulating Officer of the National Agency for Food and Drug Adminis-tration and Control ( NAFDAC ), Mrs Ololade Alabi has advised Nigerian youths to always shun drugs, drug abuse, misuse and other related vices as a way of living a normal and healthy life.

Mrs Alabi who gave this advice yesterday at Gracewell Academy, Coker, Iganmu, in Lagos during a forum organised by Prince Decson, a non-governmental outfit, said that there was a close link between drug abuse and armed robbery, stealing, prostitution and HIV/AIDS pandemic, adding that people and youths who indulge in drug abuse are known to be security risks and social misfits.

She attributed causes of drug abuse among youths to the influence of peer group, availability of the drugs in the family and parental attitude to the use of such drugs.

She mentioned three types of drugs: legal, illegal and societally accepted drugs such as alcohol, cigarettes and kolanuts, pointing out that these items are readily available at homes and can be abused by the children who would want to give such drugs a trial, thus becoming dependent and addicted to them.

She enjoined the youths not to embark on the use, misuse and abuse of drugs, adding "as an achiever you must be mentally sound and healthy and as such, no drugs can give you the desired pleasure."