The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the “Catch Them Young” initiative in public schools, aimed at educating students about the dangers of illicit drug use and falsified medicines.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye highlighted the importance of engaging young people, from elementary to secondary school levels, to curb drug abuse and counterfeit medicine consumption early.
“The programme is vital for instilling knowledge and awareness about the risks of illicit drug use among the younger generation,” Adeyeye said.
She also addressed concerns about a recent counterfeit malaria drug circulating in the market, assuring Nigerians that NAFDAC is actively tackling the issue.
“Children’s medicine is particularly vulnerable to falsification, and we are taking stringent measures to prevent such occurrences and ensure offenders are brought to justice,” she stated.Adeyeye reiterated NAFDAC’s zero-tolerance policy for substandard products, pledging tougher penalties for companies involved in producing counterfeit or substandard goods to safeguard public health.The “Catch Them Young” programme, which has been expanded to reach more schools, aligns with NAFDAC’s broader mission to enhance drug safety and promote health awareness among Nigeria’s youth.
