Muslim Pharmacists Take Campaign Against Drug Abuse to Students

pharmacy

Call for ban of Olamide’s Science Student song

Poised to stem the ugly tide of substance abuse and misuse, especially among the youths, in the country, members of the Muslim Pharmacists Association of Nigeria (MPAN), Lagos State branch, have advised Nigerian students to shun drug abuse and misuse because of the potential dangers to their health as well as their future.

The advice was given during a recent programme organised by the association and held within the premises of Ansar-ud-Deen Girls’ High School, Itire, Lagos State recently.

In her speech at the event, Pharm. (Mrs) Hafsat Adeshina,

a one-time national executive of the Association of Lady’s Pharmacists (ALPs), noted that the programme was part of the ideals of the association, urging the students to shun irrational use of drugs and other unwholesome conducts, in order to safeguard their future and reduce the burden of diseases in the society.

She further admonished the youngsters to avoid drug abuse based on peer pressure, noting that many young people had destroyed their future as a result of using illicit drugs.

“The number one medium that exposes these children to drug abuse is peer pressure, when they meet their mates who engage in substance abuse and they too feel pressurised to do the same, from there they gradually become an addict,” she said.

Agbabiaka urged students to desist from cough medicine misuse

Speaking in the same vein, one of the speakers, Pharm. Hafsat Agbabiaka, advised the students to make use of the lectures and educate their friends and families back at home, noting that the health and social hazards of involvement in substance abuse have enormous consequences on their families and society at large.

Lamenting the rapid increase in substance abuse and addiction among youths, Agbabiaka said that many teenagers were abusing cough medicines containing codeine, stating that all hands must be on deck to curb the trend before it’s too late.

Speaking earlier with Pharmanews, one of the facilitators at the event, Pharm. Ismail Kola Sunmonu, said the essence of the event was to educate and sensitise the students on the dangers and consequences of drug abuse which according to him is on the increase in the recent past.

In his words, “It is disheartening to note that so many Nigerian youths are into illicit drug use, which is capable of ruining lives, homes, families and the country. And it is high time you and I rise to the occasion by saying “no” to substance abuse, which is gradually destroying the young generation in our country.”

Sunmonu listed the causes of substance abuse to include peer pressure, low self-esteem, need to ease tension or relax among others, unnecessary exposure to songs and videos that promote drug abuse, stressing on the Science Student song by Olamide.

According to him, the song is laced with lyrics that not only encourage the intake of hard drug but shamelessly misinform  the listeners on how to mix illicit substances.

“So, in my own opinion, the song should not only be declared unfit to be aired, but should be totally banned because the profligate mention and promotion of illegal drugs has made the song unlawful,” he said.

Appreciation to participants and organisers

In her appreciation speech at the end of the programme, the HOD, Technical, Ansar-ud-Deen Girls’ High School, Mrs Mariam Ajayi, who represented the Principal, thanked MPAN for the programme.