The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned secondary school students against the intake of illicit drugs, particularly emerging substances such as colos, methamphetamine, codeine and tramadol.
The anti -narcotic agency gave the warning on Wednesday during an anti-drug sensitisation at Niger College, Benin.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sensitisation was held ahead of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking slated for June 26.
The global event is themed, “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses”.
Speaking at the school assembly, Edo NDLEA Commander, Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju, urged students to protect their future by staying away from drugs.
Presenting a lecture titled, “Choose Your Future: Say No to Drugs”, Ofoyeju engaged students on the dangers of substances such as Colos (also known as Colorado), Mkpuru Mmiri, popularly called Ice, codeine syrup, tramadol and Rohypnol.
“Your brain is your phone’s processor; drugs are the virus.” he told the students.
Using simple analogies to drive home his message, Ofoyeju explained that drug abuse could affect academic performance, mental health and future aspirations.
“Your brain is like your phone’s processor. Drugs are the virus.
“Your brain is still growing till age 25. If you damage it now with drugs, WAEC, NECO and university dreams become hard to attain.” he said.
The commander categorised the consequences of drug abuse into three broad areas.
These, he said, included damage to vital organs such as the lungs, heart, kidneys and liver; expulsion from school and possible imprisonment for drug-related offences.
He also taught the students what he described as the “Five D’s” for resisting drug use: delay, deflect, decline, distance and disclose.
Ofoyeju further informed them that the NDLEA telephone counselling and treatment service remained free, confidential and non-judgmental through its toll-free line, 0800-10203040.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Monday Okpebholo on Drug Policy and Trafficking Control, Andrew Efe, reinforced the state government’s zero-tolerance stance against drug abuse and trafficking.
“Let me speak to you as a father and as a government official. One decision you make in SS2 can cancel your SS3 results and university admission.” he said.
Efe urged students to see themselves as future leaders and report anyone offering them drugs either within the school environment or through social media platforms.
He also pledged the state government’s continued partnership with NDLEA on youth empowerment and school-based drug prevention programmes.
The Principal of Niger College, Dr Godwin Idemudia, commended both NDLEA and the state government for taking the campaign directly to students.
“This talk came at the right time. Our students need to hear the truth about Colos and Mkpuru Mmiri before traffickers reach them,” he said.
