In a bold move to tackle drug abuse and fake products among young people, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched the NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club (NCSC) at Community Secondary School, Okpuno, Awka, Anambra State.
The initiative, aimed at empowering students with knowledge and promoting healthy living, reinforces NAFDAC’s commitment to catching them young in the fight against drug abuse.
Delivering the keynote address, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the NAFDAC State Coordinator in Anambra, Pharm. Louis Chinweike Madubuattah, urged students to resist the lure of drug abuse and embrace positive values for a healthier future. She emphasized that the NCSC is a grassroots initiative designed to educate young people about the dangers of drug abuse and counterfeit products, equipping them to become advocates of change within their communities.
“Our mission is to mould a future generation empowered to be upright and demand uprightness from others,” Prof. Adeyeye stated, stressing that the club will serve as a bridge between students and teachers in fostering a drug-free environment.
Highlighting the alarming rate of drug abuse in Nigeria, Prof. Adeyeye warned that 14.3 million Nigerians are currently battling drug addiction, with consequences ranging from poor judgment and mental health disorders to severe dependence. She urged students to spread awareness and take a stand against drug abuse in their schools and communities.
The NAFDAC team received a warm welcome from the school principal, Mrs. Maureen Onwuemenam, who commended the initiative as a much-needed intervention for guiding students towards responsible living.
To drive the club’s mission forward, Mrs. Chioma Agina and Mrs. Immaculata Nwankwo were appointed as club facilitators, tasked with ensuring that students actively participate in safety awareness programs.
Through the NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club, the agency is not only educating students but also empowering them to become champions of drug-free living, shaping a safer and healthier future for Nigeria’s youth.
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