The Vice-Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Prof. Sunday Elom, has charged students of the university to say no to illicit drugs in order to be able to contribute positively to the development of the country.

The Vice Chancellor who was represented by the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Nwabueze Elom, gave the charge on Tuesday, 2nd April, 2024 during a one day Drug Sensitization Program held at the NEEDS Assessment building of the university, themed ‘’The Dangers of the Use of Illicit Drugs in our Educational System’’.
Prof. Elom, while declaring the program open, appreciated the Redeemer Drugs Eradication Club of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, for their sacrifice in bringing such program to the university, noting that the theme; ‘’The Dangers of the use of Illicit Drugs in our Educational System’’ was very apt as many universities were battling with the issues of cultism and drug abuse among students.
He added that the drug menace requires strong stand from governments at all levels and other agencies in order to address the issue .
He advised the students to stay away from drugs and focus on their studies to enable them come out with good result, stressing that anyone who takes drugs that is not prescribed by a doctor is endangering his health and automatically destroying their body system.

Mr. Goodwill Erepa, of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), who talked on “Dangers of Drug Abuse”, noted that any chemical that goes into the system and causes changes to the body is a drug, adding that any irregular preparation that goes into the body has power to alter the system.
He pointed out the challenges that come with drug addiction to include health challenges, severe damage to the central nervous system, emotional instability and mental instability as a result of using crystal meth, which the youths refer to as “mkpurumiri”, which can lead to public nuisance, suicide and homicide.
He also emphasized the need for students to connect with the right persons and focus on their studies, adding that when students make themselves busy, they will not have the time to do drugs.

Contributing, Pastor Ralph Obum, in his topic titled ‘’The Effect of Drug on Human Beings”, averred that when the brain is affected, the whole body is also affected, urging the university management to establish a Drug- free Club to encourage former drug users to regain themselves.
He enjoined staff and students to avoid any form of discrimination and stigmatization of drug- addicted persons, but rather treat them with love, empathy and confidentiality to enable them open up with a view to finding solutions to their problems.