By Racheal Oyelola
The acting Commandant, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Katsina State, Dr. Nnanna Nworisa, has sent a note of warning to students of higher institutions in the state to shun drug abuse in order not to jeopardize their future and bring shame to their families.
He noted that drug abuse problems affect all works of life but a lot of time parents and students are not weary of the danger within until it becomes too late.
He said, “No family is immune to drug abuse, as it is a complex problem for both the poor and the rich in both urban and rural areas,” He stated.
According to Nworisa, the drugs commonly abused by students and others in the state range from cannabis sativa, rohypnol, tramadol, pentazocine injection, exol5. D10. D5, codeine cough syrups, rubber solutions, pit toilets, zakami, suck and die, among others.
Nworisha while encouraging students to get actively involved with religious activities while obeying school rules and regulations as measures to avert drugs abuse in the society, said there is the need for the student to develop coping skills within and outside school environment to enable them tame bad companies and avoid places where drugs are sold or being offered.
At the same time, He drew the attention of the students noting that NDLEA’s officers are well trained to detect all the likely traits students involved in drug abuse exhibit and would not hesitate to fish out such bad eggs.
Moreover,He identified some of the traits to include emotional instability, anxiety, depression, aggressiveness, violence, hallucination, memory loss, mental illness, among others.
Dr. Nworisa, represented by Narcotics Superintendent, SN Sunday Ogbadu, the state Press Advocacy Officer of the agency, made the disclosure while giving a talk at the orientation programme organised for newly admitted students of Al Qalam University in Katsina on Wednesday.
While speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of the Islamic University, Prof. Shehu Garki Ado, said the essence of the orientation is to integrate new students into the culture and lifestyle of the university so as to shape their characters and conducts to be in adherence to the school norms throughout their stay in the university.