MTU HOLDS DRUG ABUSE SENSITIZATION -NDLEA Ass. State Commander (Lagos Command), Drug Demand Reduction Calls for Reduction in Drug Demand.

Students of the Mountain Top University were thoroughly sensitized to the need for the reduction of drugs in the Nigerian system. During the programme by the University Management titled “Drug Abuse Education”, Dr Moses Abiala, Dean, Students’ Affairs, noted that there was a need to sensitize the youths about the dangers of drug abuse and prevent them from falling victims.

The programme was at the Mountain Top University (MTU) Multipurpose Hall on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. The facilitator of the day was the NDLEA Ass. State Commander (Lagos Command), Mrs Titilope Ogunluyi. She spoke on the theme “Drug Abuse Education”.  In her address, Mrs Ogunluyi stated that drug demand reduction decreases the demand for illegal drugs using prevention, treatment and research, while; drug supply reduction makes drugs scarcer, more expensive, and less socially tolerated.

The Ass. State Commander noted the following classes of drugs:  

• Stimulants: Examples are caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines and cocaine.    
• Depressants: Examples are Xanax, alcohol and cannabis.    
• Hallucinogens: Examples are LSD and Ketamine.  

She noted the following causes of drug abuse:    

• Cultism  
•   Peer Pressure    
• Ignorance  

She also stated that the effects of drug abuse vary depending on the number of drugs and years of abuse. Some of these include; Violence, Mental Illness and Psychosis, Aggression, and Delinquency.  Mrs Ogunluyi outlined the following signs of drug abuse:   

• Dilated pupils     
• Bloodshot eyes    
• Hallucinations    
• Behaviour changes

 She further suggested ways to reduce the demand and supply of drugs. Such as; enforcing laws against the distribution of drugs and reducing the availability of abused drugs.  

In his closing remarks, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Moses Abiala, emphasised the availability of the University Management to counsel students who suffer from drug abuse.  Present at the programme were Mrs Adunni Dick, Chief Superintendent, Narcotics, Mrs Folake Awoniyi, Ass. Superintendent, Narcotics, and Dr Solesi Abayomi.