Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
The Rivers State University says it will set up an anti-drug abuse club in the institution.
The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University Prof Nlerum Okogbule said this during an awareness campaign to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria PSN.
Prof Nlerum Okogbule represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration Prof. Nnamdi Okoroma said the aim of the anti drug abuse club is to intensify the fight against drug abuse in the institution.
He said the club will regularly organize sensitization campaigns against drug abuse to inform the students of the dangers of the use of illicit drugs.
”The Vice Chancellor has approved the establishment of Anti-Drug Abuse Club as requested by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria PSN. Anti-Drug Abuse Club is a club that will stand against drug abuse. The club will sensitize students continually from time to time against the dangers of drug abuse. The club will also ensure that all students as much as possible understands the consequences of taking illicit drugs” he said.
The Chairman of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria PSN Rivers State Chapter Chima Ogbu the reason of taking the campaign to schools is to inform the students of the adverse effects of drug abuse to the body.
Chima Ogbu said the campaign is targeted at the youths because the drug abuse rate is higher among young people than among the elderly.
”We needed to reach out to one of the population category that we’re targeting that is the youths, because from national statistics the abuse rate is more among the youths than among the elderly. I think the message has been driven home given the expressions on the faces of the students, given to the questions they asked after the presentations. I think we’ve succeeded in passing the message. We’ve shared the facts, we’ve sent out the messages and we hope to save lives” he said.
Speaking during the awareness campaign at the convocation arena of the Rivers State University, the Director of Health Services of the institution Prof Dagogo Cookey-Gam said drug abuse has ruined many lives across the globe and advised the students to stay away from drugs.
He said illicit drugs are very dangerous to the body.
Our correspondent reports that the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria also conducted free drug test to students of Rivers State University during the event while the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University Prof Nlerum Okogbule unveiled a banner against drug abuse that was put up by PSN Rivers State Chapter.
