As part of its corporate social responsibility, the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP), Ogun State Zone, recently donated medicines and food to the inmates at Ibara Maximum Correctional Centre, Ogun State.
The items were handed over to the controller of the centre when the Zonal Chairman, Pharm. Mrs SarahPearl Kolade led other executive members of the zone to the centre, where they also counsel the inmates to shun drug abuse.
Speaking during the visit, Pharm. Kolade said the donation is part of the association’s effort to give back to the society. She urged the inmates to say no to drug abuse to avoid landing in trouble, even as she prayed for God’s intervention in their situation.
While counselling the inmates, one of the association’s delegates to the centre, Pharm. Oluwatosin Johnson noted that any drug taken outside doctors or pharmacists’ prescription is drug abuse, while medicinal drug is the one prescribed by doctor or pharmacist.
Pharm. Johnson decried the spate of drug abuse in Nigeria and globally, saying several people in the millions are drug addicts and many are also currently in the hospital due to drug-related problems.
He pointed out that some of the drugs that are being abused, such as cannabis, tramadol, Colorado among others often affect brain, lung, liver, heart, kill body immune system, and sometimes lead to death.
According to him, drug abuse brings shame to the victims and also makes relatives run away from the victim. He urged the inmates to shun drug abuse. He, however, noted that there is a way out of drug abuse and addiction. He urged every drug addict to seek help.
“Help can come if you allow it. Talk to welfare officers for counselling; when you are out of drug addiction, don’t go back it”, Pharm. Johnson said, even as he encouraged the inmates at the centre to be positive that one day they will be out of prison.
The controller of the centre, Deputy Controller of Correction, DCC Ojo Kolawole, expressed profound gratitude to the association for the donations. He, however, urged them to make the kind gesture a regular endeavour.
He also called on other associations, foundations and other well-meaning Nigerians to show love to the inmates across all correctional centres.
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