Senator Leads campaign to save youths on drugs abuse
By Amgbare Ekaunkumo,Yenagoa, Trek Africa Newspaper
The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria PCN, in conjunction with the Senator representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District in the red Chambers of the national assembly, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe , has ended a day programme on”Awareness of dangers of illicit drugs abuse” by youths and women, with a call on all hands to be on deck to tackle the menace plaquing the youths and women in yenagoa, with the theme”Awareness of Dangers of illicit Drugs Abuse By Youths and Women “The Bayelsa Experience”.
In his welcome address, Senator Zuwoghe, who was ably represented by former Commissioner for Environment in the state,Mr.Ebipadei Akpaingolo, said, the programme was to sensitize and bring awareness of the dangers associated with drugs abuse and it’s related health issues to the participants in his constituency.
He noted that the programme has become necessary in order to provide specialized service information to people of his constituent in order to be exposed to the serious dangers of drugs abuse of children who are the future leaders of tomorrow.
The Senator further stated that”say no to illicit drugs abuse iniative programme has deliberate measure to deliver on health care services , stressing that the legislative arms is poised to reachout and provide professional information to the poor and needy of communities where service delivery was impeded due to lack of information on the dangers of drugs abuse.
His words: “l intend to legislate a bill for the training and integration of awareness workers into the existing primary health care systems. Under this arrangement a resident of each community will be identified and trained to carryout this care service. And this would help in reducing the percentage of effect of drugs abuse disorder amongst our people”.
The guest Speaker, Prof. Ray Jolo, a lecturer of Pharmacology at the University of Benin, said the programme was to passed a message through the participants to sensitize the youths of their various communities on the harmful and destructive effect of drugs abuse.
Prof. Jolo explained that youths are lured into taking hard drugs by peer pressures and lack of self esteem and frustration.
He advised the youths not to be involved in substances that intoxicate them and that drug abuse was dangerous to their health, adding that there was nothing wrong in standing out for positive direction.
The guest speaker informed that some of the drugs distort their sense of reasoning and gave them a false sense of security and confidence.
He identified the harmful effects of drugs to include brain damage, heart failure, affect kidneys, lungs, the central nervous system and respiratory system loss of concentration, psychiatric problems , amongst others.
In their various contributions of over 100 participants, which were drawn from communities in the constituency, expressed delight to Senator Zuwoghe for organizing the programme and the timely awareness campaign against illicit drugs abuse by youths and women in the state.
They were of the view that the knowledge gained during the programme would be impacted to the youths in their various communities , adding that hard drugs abuse and consumption has destroyed the future of many youths across the state.
They equally appeal to relevant authorities to support the lawmaker in the fight to reduce drugs abuse by youths and women to the barest minimum in the state.
