Commander of Nigeria Drug Law and Enforcement Agency, Cross River Command has lamented on the high rate of drug abuse and addiction among the youths, stating that more than 7 million people suffer from illicit drug use disorder and that one in four deaths can be attributed to alchohol, tobacco and illicit or prescription drug use.
The Commander who was represented by Supritendant of Narcotics, Patricia Ekong said this while delivering a lecture on the effects of drug abuse at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Obubra, Cross River State. She said that drugs are chemical substances that affects the mind and body while drugs or substance abuse is the habitual misuse of drugs.
According to the lecturer, side effects of drug abuse or addiction include; weakened immune system, abnormal heart rates, seizures, brain damage, death among others. She stated that these consequences are enormous.
She however, warned Corps Members to do away with all harmful chemical substances such as nicotine, cocaine, marijuana, tramadol, codeine among others. She challenged them to retain thier integrity as graduates knowing that so many people are looking up to them.
