The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched the NAFDAC-Catch Them Young Consumer Safety Club (NCSC) for secondary school students in the South-West zone, aiming to combat drug abuse among young people.
The initiative was inaugurated on Wednesday at Yejide Grammar School, Molete, Ibadan, with a focus on sensitizing students to the dangers of drug abuse and encouraging informed decision-making about their health.
Speaking at the event, the NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the agency’s South-West Director, Mrs. Roseline Ajayi, said the programme would address drug abuse education and promote awareness about the harmful effects of both prescribed and illicit drugs.
“Research shows that one out of every four high-risk drug users has been arrested for drug-related offences,” Adeyeye noted, emphasizing that drug abuse leads to negative outcomes such as mental health issues, poor academic performance, and high-risk sexual behavior.
Highlighting the initiative’s goal, Adeyeye said, “NAFDAC has taken the campaign against drug abuse to the grassroots by re-establishing NCSC in secondary schools to collaborate with teachers to catch them young and prevent lives of addiction and destruction. NAFDAC’s mission is to mould a future generation that is not only empowered to be upright but demand uprightness from others.”
She urged students to use their membership in the club to assist in spreading information about NAFDAC’s regulatory activities and promoting the fight against drug abuse. Teachers were also encouraged to work closely with parents to identify and address behavioral challenges among students.
Mrs. Ajayi described the programme as the first of its kind in the South-West zone. She also highlighted the sentimental value of the event, noting that Yejide Grammar School is the alma mater of NAFDAC’s Director-General. “Kick-starting the programme here is a way for her to give back to her alma mater,” Ajayi said.
The school’s principal, Mrs. Titilayo Olalekan, commended NAFDAC for the initiative, stating that it would positively influence students’ decision-making regarding their well-being.
“We thank the D-G, an old student of this great citadel of learning, for allowing these clubs to be established here. Your efforts to promote consumer safety and protect public health are truly commendable,” Olalekan added.
The NCSC programme marks a significant step toward tackling the growing menace of drug abuse among Nigerian youths, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to make healthier choices.
