This seminar was a response to the codeine and Tramadol scourge in the State and Nation. It was targeted at the Youths in the Watersides area and in attendance that day we had over 500 youths. At the end, 11 persons came forward for Rehabilitation.
This seminar was held at the Ministry of Justice Hall. It was a collaboration with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), a consultant psychiatrist in the person of Dr Chuks Okafor a Consultant with the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and a Sociologist Mrs. Carmelita Agborubere who spoke on the sociological effects of Drugs. The target audience were Youths from the Waterside. CBF made arrangements and transported participants from these locations to the venue of the event. All speakers spoke on the disadvantages of being hooked to drugs and what could cause the addiction.
“In this matter nobody is safe because as far as humanity is concerned, we are a close-knit family, what affects your neighbor affects you for instance if your neighbors child is destroyed by drugs inadvertently you are also at risk because under the influence of drugs and illegal use of narcotics such a person can carry out actions that might cause bodily harm not only to him or herself but to other innocent people and therefore should be prevented by all means possible.”
She said. Speaking on Drug Abuse and its consequences Mrs. Stella-Maris Amede of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said it has been observed that a lot of women now indulge in Drug Abuse which according to her negatively affects women in the area of child bearing, stressing that it could lead to early menopause and severe complications in pregnancies. This was a great success because we had over 30 people come forward for rehabilitation.
The Director Administration in the person of Mr. Ben Roberts represented Her Excellency the Deputy Governor Dr. Mrs Ipalibo Harry Banigo and said Drug Abuse as the name implies is the impulsive or inappropriate use of a mood swinging drug habitually without a physician’s prescription which negatively impacts on the human brain and body.
The negative impact of Drug Abuse is capable of destroying not only the individual who indulges in it but the entire society and the nation at large. According to her it is expedient that we mobilize the entire citizenry to synergize the efforts of stakeholders to nip this menace in the bud before it gets to the threshold of exponential proportion and becomes a Public Health Emergency.
Also speaking Rev. Cannon John Ubulom said divine intervene remains the key weapon to tackle the problem of Drug Abuse because it is the spiritual that controls the physical.
In her paper presentation Mrs. Carmelita Agborubere said Drug Abuse is the compulsive, excessive and self-damaging use of habit-forming drugs leading to addiction or dependence
Speakers were presented with a certification of Appreciation.
