The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has urged the media to support ongoing efforts to contain alarming substance abuse in the North West.
NAFDAC North West Coordinator, Mr Sabo Adamu, made the appeal when he paid a courtesy call on the Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Kaduna, Malam Maharazu Ahmed.
“We are concerned about the alarming rate of drug abuse in the zone and will require the support of the media to drastically reduce the menace.
“Northwest zone has high rate of drug addiction that even housewives are not left out.
“Our youths are getting more and more into drugs everyday and we must stop it, as it portends great danger to the survival of our society
“The media, families, government and local communities must work together to stop the habit,” the coordinator said.
Adamu explained that NAFDAC and other related agencies have taken various steps including beefing up surveillance in borders and mopping up drugs in circulation to limit sale and consumption of illicit drugs in the zone.
He said, “we also collaborate with neighbouring countries to safeguard the lives of people, such that whenever they detect a particular problem with any drug they give us information and we send alert to our officers at all levels to monitor and ensure safety.’’
Adamu said NAN had been in the forefront of promoting NAFDAC activities in its war against fake and counterfeit drugs and abuse in the country, and would appreciate the strengthening of the relationship..
“War against counterfeit goods and drug abuse require the collective support of all Nigerians including the media, for it to succeed,’’ he added.
The coordinator cautioned women against using toning creams, saying some of the products contain cancer causing agents.
He said the agency had streamlined its registration guidelines to eliminate delays and ensure that the country have good products.
Responding, the NAN zonal manager, also expressed concern over the high rate of drug abuse in states under the zone and said radical measures must be taken to save the situation.
Ahmed commended NAFDAC for its sustained sensitisation of Nigerians on the dangers of illicit drugs and urged it not to relent.
The zonal manager pledged that NAN would continue to partner with NAFDAC in the task of making Nigeria a drug-free society.
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