Date: 2016-08-15

The National Agency for Food, Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned Nigerian youths against use of illicit drugs because of its adverse effects in the society.

The Kwara Coordinator of the agency, Mrs Roseline Ajayi, gave the warning in Ilorin while fielding questions from newsmen on Sunday.

She expressed concern over the current rate at which youths now take over dose drugs, which she describe as a big challenge facing the agency due to the harmful effect on such consumer's health.

According to her, the agency is scaling up enlightenment campaign in schools, markets and other public places, and even with youth corps members in various languages on the need for Nigerians to be aware of the dangers involved in drug abuse.

She highlighted logistics as one of the major problems NAFDAC faces in meeting some of the agency's responsibilities.

Ajayi disclosed that as a regulatory body for drugs and consumable foods in totality, it also monitor the products of manufacturers until it gets to the end consumer or user and ascertain that marketers do not stock expired drugs or other products.

The coordinator, who is a deputy director in the agency, stated that it had always collaborated with the state government and other security agencies in the war against drug abuse, but noted that it was difficult to monitor the entire state due to inadequate logistics and more so that the state has a border town which they cannot fully monitor.

She said another major problem the agency is facing in the state was with bread bakers who, she claimed, have not cooperated in ensuring that they bake their products in very hygienic premises so that the people of the state would consume healthy bread.

Ajayi refuted claims by some bread bakers in the state that the agency was making life difficult for them in doing their business.

The coordinator explained that they were only asked to bake their bread on a stainless tray, keep a clean environment and get the right premises for proper hygiene as well as pay their yearly dues.