As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark World Health Day, the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) has called for renewed efforts to tackle drug abuse among young people, urging students to resist peer pressure and make wise choices.
Speaking during a school programme as part of the association’s activities to commemorate the 2025 World Drug Day, former Head of Pharmacy at Karu General Hospital, Pharm. Ruth Feyisayo Ajayi advised parents to watch out for signs of unusual behaviour in their children and encouraged schools to revive or establish anti-drug clubs.
She emphasised the need for early prevention, calling peer pressure one of the most significant risks for students.
She told the students, “Anytime you feel uncomfortable about something you’re being asked to try, confide in your parents. Don’t let peer pressure mislead you.”
Also, Pharm Hafsat Abdullahi, chairman of the AHAPN Abuja chapter, highlighted the theme “Breaking the Chains: Prevention, Treatment and Recovery for All,” stressing the need for holistic interventions.
“This awareness campaign is part of prevention. But we also need to support friends and family members who are already struggling with drug use. The fight against drug abuse is one we must all commit to,” she said.
She also recounted AHAPN’s previous outreach efforts, including visits to IDP camps, motor parks, and markets, where they found that many people were unknowingly abusing drugs, primarily through unregulated herbal mixtures known as “agbo”.
“Many didn’t know that the ‘agbo’ they were taking was mixed with addictive substances. We taught them always to ask what goes into any mixture they consume,” she added.
The Desk Officer Health at the FCT Secondary Education Board, Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed, stressed that drug abuse is a serious societal problem and applauded initiatives like this for raising awareness.
“Back in our days, we rarely had access to drug abuse education. Today’s students are more fortunate; we must continue this awareness because drug abuse has become a darkness affecting our society,” she said.
She warned that the influence of drugs on academics and student behaviour is profound. “Students are misled into thinking drugs make them smarter, but instead, it deteriorates their cognitive ability and drags them backwards.”
Mohammed also pointed to factors driving youth into drug use, including poverty, trauma, and peer pressure, urging students to seek healthy coping mechanisms and focus on building a better future.
Chairman of the event’s Local Organising Committee, Pharm. Hassan Ishaq emphasised that the government alone cannot combat drug abuse and called for collective action from families, schools, and civil society.
“We need more investment in advocacy and public education. Everyone, parents, teachers, neighbours, must know the signs and intervene early,” he said.
A student of the school, Debora, called for action, pledging to be a youth ambassador against drug abuse. “We must not even think about indulging in drug use, and those already in it should cut off negative influences and seek guidance from elders,” she said.
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