To mark the 2021 World Drug Day, a group known as Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry (CADAM), has warned youths, especially students, to shun drug abuse.
The international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking was celebrated on June 26.
The dat was set aside to create awareness on the increasing menace and dangers drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking pose to peace and public health.
Director-General of CADAM, Dr. Dokun Adedeji, while addressing a press conference in Lagos, warned students of higher institutions to be wary of the food they consume on campus.
“There is no food item in universities or eateries that do not get laced beans, rice, drinks and many more. I have said to girls to always eat at home before going to any party because if they are not careful, they will be drugged,” he said.
Making reference to the 2019 UNODC report, he noted that cannabis has become the most commonly used drug in Nigeria in recent times.
“Cannabis is the most commonly used substance which is like pure water in Nigeria today, an estimated 10.8 per cent of the population or 10.6 million people had used Cannabis in the past year. The average age of initiation of Cannabis use among the general population is 19 years.”
He stated that this year’s theme therefore encourages everyone to do their part by committing to sharing only reliable and real science backed data on drugs which can help save lives.
Adedeji also emphasized that the growth in global drug supply and demand poses a great challenge to law enforcement, compounds health risks and complicated efforts to prevent and treat drug use disorders.
