By Ibironke Ariyo
Abuja – Vanguard Against Drug Abuse (VGADA), an NGO,says it has begun sensitising secondary schools students in Benue to the negative effects of drug abuse and other social vices. The Benue Coordinator, Mr Alechenu Godwin disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group had begun its National Campaign against drug abuse since April, 10, 2019 in which Kwara State was visited to sensitise some secondary school students. Godwin said that Benue chapter had organised a tour tagged ” Say no to drug and substance abuse” with a view to educating them on the dangers and consequences of illegal drug intake and how to avoid addiction.
He said that the team had visited Ogiri Oko Secondary School North Bank, Makurdi to sensitise them to drug and substance abuse and it effects. He also said that the menace of drug and substance abuse has taken a new dimension with more of the secondary school students daily getting involved with little or no remorse. He added that physical dependence manifests when drug intake was decreased or stopped resulting into withdrawal syndrome, which leads to a very distressing experience. “Psychological dependence is experienced when an abuser relies on a drug to produce feelings of well being. “Students needs to get accurate and detailed information about substance use from a trusted and reliable adult, be it a parent, a teacher or NGOs who are into drug related issues,” he said. Godwin appealed to the students to shun actions and habits that could affect their health, adding that their future was at stake if they do not desist from drug abuse. He further said that the team would be visiting more schools under Zone B senatorial district of Benue before the year runs out.
(NAN)