Varsity Don urges FG to include drug abuse in schools syllabus
Professor Ahmed Ahidjo has urged Federal government to introduce teaching on effects of drug abuse in the schools’ curricula, saying it will eliminate hard substances abuse among productive ages. Ahidjo, a Professor of Radiology and the Provost, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri disclosed this in a chat with Daily Trust in Maiduguri on […]
Professor Ahmed Ahidjo has urged Federal government to introduce teaching on effects of drug abuse in the schools’ curricula, saying it will eliminate hard substances abuse among productive ages.
Ahidjo, a Professor of Radiology and the Provost, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri disclosed this in a chat with Daily Trust in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
He said if the students are taught at the elementary stage, it reduces the negative effects as well as boost national development and growth.
He noted that the federal government’s decision to ban use of codeine’s syrup was good omen but law enforcement must be effective to enforce it.
"Involving drug abuse as part of the syllabus in schools is not only good but it is important so that they would know from grassroots that drug abuse is not good. I think they should have it as a subject, and they should teach that at early stage. Also at the University, we should put it in the curriculum of medical students, they should be taught too while the Medical Commission should be more aware of the use of this narcotics.
"If you educate the populace, they will know how to handle it and that will reduce it. There should be a part of the syllabus not necessarily a course but a subject in which you teach students at the Primary and Secondary Schools and tertiary institutions on the harmful effects of drugs so that by the time they grow they will know that this is harmful. At the University level, it is a training ground where these people works so it must be introduced especially in the health sciences," the Don said.
Prof. Ahidjo pointed out that collapsed institutions are responsible for youths’ waywardness and the impact on national development is alarming.
"The threat of drug abuse on the society is very large. The first question is; who are the people who take these drugs? They are the productive sections of our society, they age between 16 – 40 years old; these are the people we called workforce of any society; so, when the workforce is involved in drugs, it means productivity will be very low.
Prof. Ahidjo stressed the need for advocacy, by educating parents and children on threats drug abuse posed to the nation.
"It is useful to look at it holistically from the society, advocacy on media and the law enforcement as well as the judiciary.
"So, the hard substances must not be sold anyhow; perhaps it must be sold for the patients who need it. The law enforcement agencies must enforce it to the letter." Prof.Ahidjo urged.