Members of the Biochemist Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BPAON) have volunteered to check drug abuse and addiction among Nigerian youths.
Olayemi Ikotun, the association’s President, said this in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.
Ikotun explained that in the last 20 years, youths have rapidly been involved in drug addiction, misuse and abuse in a frightening dimension.
He said adolescents and young adults of both sexes between the age of 13 and 30 years constitute the high-risk group for drug abuse.
“Biochemist practitioners’ statistics analysis shows that more than 70 per cent of drug abusers in Nigeria are youths.
“Statistics also show that youths start engaging in drug misuse and abuse as early as the age of 10 years.
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“In the next 10 years to come, some of our youths may be experiencing various diseases associated with heart organs.
“Unwanted hard particles and contaminants released from hard drugs damage the heart cavities.
“This eventually leads to cardiac arrest and it may finally lead to death if care is not taken,” Ikotun said.
He said BPAON members are volunteering to sensitise teenagers and youths on dangerous effects of drug addiction.
“Members are ready to volunteer to organise outreach seminars on the effect of drug abuse on body circulatory system among teenagers and youths in Nigeria,” Ikotun said.
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