"No Place for Drugs"
Omolara Akintoye
The Nation on Sunday
July 1, 2007

That was the theme for this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Drug abuse is the non-medical use of drugs. Drugs that can be produced, sold and used legally i.e. licit drugs such as Paracetamol, alcohol, tobacco etc. and those not permitted by the law i.e. illicit drugs such as Indian hemp, cocaine etc. can be abused. When licit drugs are taken in excess or without prescription, this constitutes drug abuse. The use of illicit drugs among adolescents is on the increase. Some of the commonly abused drugs include Indian hemp (Cannabis), heroine and alcohol. The students of Eva Adelaja Senior Girls Secondary School, Bariga, Lagos joined the whole world to commemorate the event during the week.

The programme, which was organized by the Health and Life Planning Club of the school (HLPC), had over 100 students in attendance.
According to the school’s PTA Health Counsellor, Mrs Mabayoje Odumade, “teenagers abuse drugs for so many reasons, namely: parental neglect; belief that drug use is a sign of maturity; Peer pressure –i.e. desire for acceptance by friends; curiosity and inability to say no, among others”. Signs of drugs abuse include: possession of drugs; odour of drugs or smell of perfumes and scents for cover up, signs of physical deterioration, isolation from friends, family members, constant and wild mood changes among others. Drugs may also make young people to engage in risky behaviour. Such risky behaviours include, experimenting with sex, engaging in unprotected sex, which may lead to increasing vulnerability to HIV/ AIDS and unwanted pregnancy.
She therefore warned students to always remember the dangers and consequences of drug abuse as this will affirm their decision to stay off drugs.

Other side attractions at the event were poems on drug abuse and a drama titled: “The consequences of drug abuse”. HLPC is a club initiated by Action Health Incorporated (AHI) in all the schools in Mainland/ Kosofe council areas, an organisation which is committed to make positive changes in the lives of young ones.