Drug abuse: NPA Red Cross takes sensitisation to Cross River sec schools

The Nigerian Red Cross Society Calabar Ports Open Detachment (NRC-NPAOD) has gone further in its campaigns against societal ills by organising a one-day sensitisation programme on drugs and substance abuse for senior secondary school students in Calabar.

The NRC-NPAOD commandant, Dr Chijioke Ukadike, said the event became necessary in view of the devastating effect of drug abuse and illicit drugs use among teenagers in the country.

“We all know that drug abuse and use of illicit drugs are becoming prevalent in our society today. We in NPA looked at this societal ill which has become a menace in our society and decided to take this opportunity to enlighten the youths on the dangers for the sake of their future,” he said.

Ukadike advised the youth to stay clear of illicit use of drugs and drug abuse, warning that it could jeopardise their education and impede their future.

In her presentation, Mrs. Hadiza Abdulsalam, the Calabar Port Occupational health officer, said on a daily basis, about 3,300 teens smoke weed across the world.

“Nearly 3,300 teens try weed for the first time every day,” she said, noting that the situation was an “undeniable problem that is impacting high School teens across the globe.”

The event was held at the Federal Airports Authority (FAAN) Secondary School Calabar with students from various Secondary Schools attending.

The event also witnessed the presentation of prizes to winners of an Essay competition earlier organised by the NPAOD as part of the sensitisation. Eight secondary schools took part in the competition.

The topic for the Essay was: “what I can do to prevent Drug Abuse, or “My role in Drug Abuse Prevention.

The first position went to Miss First Ekpenyong Essien of Government. Secondary School, Akim Calabar who received N30,000 cash.

Miss Ogrinya, Precious Odey of Government. Girls Secondary School, Big Qua, Calabar came second and got cash prize of N20,000, while Miss Emediong Ubong Fabian of Federal Government Girls College, Calabar who came third received N10,000.