Drug abuse: FCTA takes awareness campaign to Motor Parks

By Stanley Onyekwere

As part its effort towards mitigating indiscriminate use of drugs especially traditional medicine products, the FCT Administration has taken intensive awareness campaign on the dangers of the menace to commercial transport operators at Utako Motor Park, otherwise known as Jabi Park, in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

In particular, motorists under the umbrella of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) were sensitised on the dangers of substance abuse especially traditional medicine, which experts said reduces the productivity of humans, when it’s not properly applied.

The FCTA noted that the significance of the campaign cannot be overstated, as it’s very vital to human survival. 

Our correspondent reports during the campaign was organised by Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) Division, Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS) of the FCTA.

According to the Director, Pharmaceutical Services Department, HHSS, Pharmacist Boniface Ikwu, it’s going to be a continuous programme, as they intend to take the campaign to Parks, and even Gardens and relaxation spots in various Districts of the city. 

He however, noted that although traditional medicine is a gold mine, which needs to be mined, but it requires advocacy, rigorous process and money. 

“It’s going to be on till the end of the year, on a quarterly basis depending on resources.

“Transport operators are so crucial, because they are handling lives as they drive people, and the people they convey expects to get to their destinations safely. 

“But once, one (a driver) has taken substances, the journey may not end well. And that’s why we are here to sensitised them on the dangers of using these substances before driving as they will endanger lives, and no government wants that. 

“We are dealing with human lives, because at the end of the chain, it’s human beings are at the end. So, it’s key to do anything we will do to protect lives, and give them better standard of living, this leads to better productivity.

“As the Health and Human Services Secretariat, we want the highest form of productivity from human beings, so we must do the right things to enable them have better standard of life,” he stressed. 

Similarly, delivering a talk on the dangers of indiscriminate use of Traditional Pharm. Mrs. Uche Eze, noted that there are inherent dangers associated with indiscriminate use of traditional medicine ranging from lack of proper prescription, dosage, proportion, diagnosis, hygiene, mixture and amongst others.

Eze, however noted use of traditional itself is not entirely dangerous to the health, but its abuse that is the issue.

She therefore appealed to the motorists to always be mindful of taking traditional medicine, as everything needs to be done in moderation.

Not left out, leaders NURTW and other representatives of the drivers operating in the Motor Park, thanked the FCTA delegation for bringing the critical health message down to their doorsteps.