NAPS Organizes Sensitization Seminar On Substance Abuse In Kaduna

By Nomsu Baba

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: To further curtail the high rate of drugs and substance abuses among students in institutions of higher learning in the country, the leadership of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), thursday organized a sensitization seminar on substance abuse.

The seminar which was held at the Civil Engineering Department, Kaduna State Polytechnic, is aimed at sensitizing students on the dangers and consequences of engaging in such illicit acts.

Speaking to participants on a paper titled “Role of Students Leaders in Curbing illicit Drugs in Tertiary Institutions,” the Deputy Commander Narcotics (DCN) Mr. Malo Elisha Bitrus, observed that drugs could be conventional or non conventional,, adding that some are household materials, which makes it easier for people to have access to it. 

He further said that overdependence on substances, often leads to substance disorder, which affects one’s life both from academic and social status, as such students must deliberately choose the type of peers they socialize with.

“What are the roles of students in fighting drugs abuse? What is the way out? The way for students especially in NAPS is that, change begins with you, because you are leaders,” he said.

“As officials, who are recognized by your various Institutions, there is need for you to ensure that  you establish what we called WADA (War Against Drug Abuse) clubs in your Institutions, so as to help fight this national disaster called drug abuse,” he added.

In her remarks, the National Matron of NAPS Dr. Chetachi Ecton Nwoga, highly represented by Hon. Dr. Amos Isuwa Kadashi, maintained that every life matters, all lives matter, that this is the right time to take everything that matters with a sense of seriousness, to put an end to this pandemic called drug abuse, both on  campuses, and in our homes.

“I am encouraging every young person here to actually take it with all seriousness, this is the right time we have to work, and make sure we put a stop to the issue of drug and substance abuse, because it actually shorten our lives, and break the career of the person you are.

It could start in the hostel, you, can be an Ambassador, and you can be a catalyst to change the nation, if you noticed a friend started as though being influence by drugs, confront him or her, because the earlier you do that, the better you will help that person, don’t wait till tomorrow, because tomorrow is always too late,” she added.

Dr. Chetachi therefore, advised the school management of every institution, to form groups of peers educators  who would always recommend students for counseling, incase they noticed some unusual changes.

Speaking to journalists, the Rector, Dr. Umar Suleiman, represented by Dr. Aliyu Hassan Ibrahim, advised all students to desist from all forms of substance abuse, and encouraged them to report to the authority when the noticed that their friends are involved in it.

 ” If you have a friend who is involved in drug abuse, you need to call the school authority to let them know this is what he is doing, so that he will not lure others into doing the same thing, your future is important, the future of the nation is important, and the future of Nigeria depends on the youths, if the youths are destroyed at the early age, then it becomes difficult for Nigeria to attend all its developmental goals,” he stressed

He further maintained that the newly sworn in executives of the national body should imbibe the culture of dialogue on issues of national interest, just like their predecessors.

Highpoints of the events were the swearing in of the new National Executives, headed by Comrade Asidi Samuel as the National President, Comrade Ridwan Opeyemi as the national vice president, as well as the presentation of awards to some recognized lecturers among whom is the Dean, Student Affairs Mallam Farouq N. Musa, among other things.