Group partners Andoni LG on drug abuse and control
Ngo (Rivers), March 28, 2024 -The Association of Professional Counsellors of Nigeria (APROCON) has urged the Federal Government to strengthen policies and control on “over-the-counter-drugs” to check addiction and abuse among youths.
The group made the call on Thursday at Ngo, headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area during a sensitisation to drug and substance abuse, in collaboration with the council.
The group, during separate lectures for youths in the area, revealed that if dispensation of “over-the-counter-drugs” were strictly moderated, it would go a long way to curb drug related crimes.
Prof. Princess Eke, Lecturer, Department of Education, Guidance and Counseling, University of Port Harcourt, expressed the association’s readiness to address illicit drug trend in the country.
She commended the Chairman of Andoni Council, Erastus Awortu, for the collaboration and urged government and individuals to cooperate towards securing a drug-free society.
According to her, most drugs, including regular pain killers are on daily basis being abused for various reasons, hence the need to strictly focus on moderation and dispensation of commonly used medicines/analgesics.
The don lamented high rate of abuse and hazards associated with illicit drugs, alcoholic beverages and caffeine and advised young people to abstain from engaging in drug dependant lifestyles.
“In the United kingdom and some other European countries, there is that control.
“You enter a pharmacy to get a regular pain killer, the pharmacist limits you to a certain number of packs or satchet you are allowed to buy per time.
“We have always advised young people to abstain from Illicit drugs because rehabilitation is rather a very difficult stage in the life of an abuser.
“It is however, imperative to note that the abusers are also a part and parcel of the society, so we will continue to adopt various interventions to help salvage their plights,” she said.
Prof. chikwe Agbakwuru, also of the Department of Educational Psychology, University of Port Harcourt, urged parents to improve on parenting skills to check drug abuse in young people.
Attributing increased divorce rate and poor parenting to trending drug related concerns, he urged parents to build cordial relationships with their wards and offer help in struggle with life’s challenges.
On his part, the council’s boss Awortu thanked the group for striving towards a drug-free society, adding that his administration would continue to support programmes geared towards securing a better future for young people.
He said the progress of a nation was dependent on viability of its youths who were seen to be a major national asset.
Awortu therefore, urged youths in the area to refrain from Illicit drugs and other unwholesome habits capable of ruining their health and well-being.
Youths and students of Government Secondary School Ngo, Community Secondary School Agwut-Obolo and Community Secondary School Uyangala were amongst beneficiaries at the lecture.
