By joshua 
… Caution against drug abuse, intake and it inherent danger.
A Non governmental organization, Community Anti- Drug Abuse Advocacy Initiative CADDAI has taken it sensitization message for youths to stay off drugs so as not to truncate their future.
Mr. Cheniba James, Co-ordinator, CADAAI Kogi State Chapter, gave the charge while carrying out sensitization message to Sarki Noma Community, a suburb of Lokoja as well as a transit route to Abuja, the nation’s federal capital.
While pointing out that intake of illicit drugs can destroy their lives, health and future, urged the youths to embrace hardwork with hardwork, focus and dedication, they can attain there full potentials.
The Chairman notes with emphasis that misuse of illicit drugs can cause varying risks to health, both psychologically and physically on a short and long term basis, lamented the increased level of drug intake by young people.
The Chairman said drug addiction can lead to depression, liver failure and kidney damage leading to unpredictable behaviour, which can lead to injuries and fatalities in some cases.
Mr. James observed that the effects of drug abuse which is responsible for youth misdemeanor in the society, said it affects
social life and families, cautioned the youths against the practice.
The Chairman CADAAI urged the youth to take their studies with the seriousness it deserves, so as not to affect their educational future and in becoming the future leaders the society looks forward to.
He warned against drugs that would be use to enhance work performance, said many instances have been reported of people engage in drugs leading to Nausea, confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, and loss of appetite and malnutrition.
The long term effect of drug abuse the CADAAI Chairman explained may lead to cardiovascular problems, including increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and in many cases heart attack and heart failure, urged the youths to look up to mentors who have excelled without the aid of drug abuse.
Mr. James explained that crime survey shows that the practice of engaging in drug abuse is not only common to the youths alone, adds that many adults are classed as frequent drug users, called for parents to be conscious of the behaviors of their wards to curb their unwholesome intake.
He described drug as sedatives or depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogenic can lead to memory loss, anxiety, decreased concentration, depression and an overdose leading to coma, and even death.
According to CADAAI Chairman, the sensitization visit has opened up areas for intervention as observed, said efforts geared teaching and impacting skills on the youths would be the next engagement.
In a remark, the district head of Sarki Noma, Mall. Bala Musa Namama, expressed appreciation to CADAAI, disclosed that the issues of drug intake by youths of the area is becoming a worrisome trend.
While noting that the Community would partner with CADAAI towards reducing the drastic intakes of drugs by youths, promised to create more avenue for more robust engagement with CADAAI.
Highlights of the sensitization visit was a walk round to several locations of the community, speaking with youths on the need to stay away from drug abuse.
The CADAAI team members had various placards with inscriptions warning and discouraging youths against the intake of illicit drugs and drug abuse.