NAPS, UI X NDLEA HOLD CONFERNCE TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ON THE DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Oyo State Command in conjunction with the National Association of Psychology Students, University of Ibadan held a conference on the 10th November, 2023. The Conference was themed “The Dangers of Drug Abuse”. 

Grace Yusuf, the President of National Association of Psychology Students, NAPS UI, in her opening speech, spoke about just how abstract some courses were especially the psychology of substance abuse.  She encouraged the students present at the conference to participate and ask questions.

DSN, Edema Celine and DSN, Achichi, A.O of the Drug Demand Reduction Unit, Oyo State Command were present at the conference and educated the students on the dangers of drug abuse. DSN, Edema Celine talked about the reasons why people started to abuse drugs and emphasized the dangers that abusing drugs might bring. She highlighted the dangers of using drugs to enhance performance. She talked about the stages of abusers from those who were experimenting to those who had become full dependents. 

“None of these drugs can solve these problems. Once the drug wears off, the problem comes back.” She told the students, imploring them not to ingest substances they were unfamiliar with. “Don’t test these drugs. Just starting can create problems you can’t imagine. Some of them have become very dependent on the drug. The treatments are not cheap. And then, they become a burden to their families and the society.”

She encouraged students to talk about the dangers of abusing drugs and explained that sensitisation was important. A participant at the seminar asked why Azeez Adeshina Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley was an ambassador of NDLEA, as he is well known for promoting the use of substances. DSN, Edema Celine said Naira Marley was not and had never ever been an ambassador for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. The officials also urged the participants to be aware and to verify any information that they find on social media.

The conference ended at 12:10 with the officials showing the students the samples of drugs that were commonly abused.