Drug Test Should be incorporated in Nigeria’s Tertiary institutions- PSN
The Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Rivers State branch, Pharmacist Anele Promise Enyi has appealed that fresh students should undergo thorough screening for drugs or substance abuse as part of the medical examination during the admission process. The suggestion has been advocated to check the increasing menace of drug abuse by students in Nigeria’s tertiary educational institutions.
Pharmacist Anele Promise Enyi, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the acting Vice-Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, to commemorate the United Nations day against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking, on Monday, June, 27 2022.
Pharm. Enyi also advocated for the establishment of a functional substance disorder unit in the university to care for those with drug use problems.
He disclosed that the body was at the university to create a working partnership between the institution and the state branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria in order to identify, explore and develop ways of preventing/reducing drug abuse in the university and the society at large.
The Rivers PSN Chairman hinted that as key members of the global health care team, Nigerian pharmacists are frontline players in the nation and state health care delivery systems.
He explained that the body provides pharmaceutical care, manufactures, and distributes essential, quality, affordable, and effective medicines in the communities, hospitals, and other care facilities to make them easily accessible.
The consequences of drugs and other substance abuse in the world today, Enyi noted, are far-reaching, linking such to security challenges like cultism, kidnapping, banditry, as well as students’ poor academic performance, lack of productivity, and other social vices.
Responding, the acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, while acknowledging that the high rate of crime in the society is related to drug abuse, added that promoting this kind of advocacy would properly guide the students and take them away from drugs.
The Vice-Chancellor urged the body to go beyond the universities and reach out to the rural communities where many still patronise patent medicine sellers, while also hinting at the need to sensitize manufacturers on the dangers of fake drugs because of the danger they pose to the public.
Disclosing that the university management frowns seriously at the abuse of drugs and other harmful substances, Prof. Onuchuku assured that the institution would create room for regular interactions with the PSN in order to achieve a drug-free society.
Addressing the students later at the university auditorium, the Vice-Chancellor advised them to avoid the intake of substances that could alter their lives and becloud their primary reason for going to school, warning that drug abuse has damaged many souls.
He blamed the menace on a lack of proper education, as he commended the PSN and the Rivers State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for the programme.
On his part, the Director of training and capacity building, Barrister Ikem Adiele, who highlighted the dangers of drug abuse in society, charged the public to join hands in the crusade against drug misuse in order to make society better.
The event featured a goodwill message by Benoni Lawson Foundation and lectures by Barth Aigbovere, Deputy Commander, Operations and Intelligence, NDLEA, and members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Rivers State.
Source: MyschoolNews
