To commemorate World Drug Day, the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN), Abuja Branch, has sensitised students of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) on the dangers of drug abuse.
The event, themed “Breaking the Chains: Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery for All,” aimed to educate students from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences on the risks associated with substance abuse and the importance of prevention.
During the event, the chairman of AHAPN, Pharm. Hafsat Abdullahi emphasised the need for a holistic approach to curbing drug abuse, extending awareness campaigns to university students.
“We are trying to break the chains by sensitising students, giving them knowledge on what to do to prevent drug abuse,” she said, adding that the association has been sensitising secondary schools, motor parks, and markets since 2016.
Abdullahi urged students to prioritise their academic scores over substance abuse, saying, “You shouldn’t be high on drugs, but high on your scores. You should be high on your scores academically, not high on drugs.”
The keynote speaker at the event and head of the Pharmacy Department at the National Hospital, Abuja, Pharm. Clara Adesola elaborated on strategies for breaking the chain of drug addiction, advising students to identify triggers that can lead to drug use and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
“Triggers can be anything from environmental cues to certain behaviours,” she said, recognising and understanding these triggers can help individuals avoid them.
The event also featured remarks from other notable speakers, including Pharm. Josephine Abiri, head of the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital and chairman of the event, reiterated the importance of prevention. Prof. Musa Abdullahi, dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Abuja, expressed support for the event.
Also speaking, Peter Adegbe, Head of Partnership and Special Projects at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), commended AHAPN for its efforts in sensitising students on the dangers of drug abuse and advising them to abstain from drugs and stay focused on their academic pursuits.
The World Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (WDD), also known as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, is observed on June 26 annually to increase action and collaboration in the effort to end illicit drug use throughout the globe.
