Pubdate: Mon, 03 May 2004
Source: This Day (Nigeria)
Copyright: 2004 This Day.
Contact:  http://www.thisdayonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2870
Authors: Iheanyi Alozie and Theresa Moses

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."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager