2023 World Mental Health Day: National Association of Seadogs Sensitizes Secondary School Students On The Danger Of Drug Abuse

 

By Wilson Macaulay

Sapele : As part of the activities marking the "World Mental Health Day"*  the National Association of Seadogs ( Pyrates Confraternity), Urhiapele Deck, has carried out sensitization campaign to warn youths at secondary school levels of the dangers of drug abuse.  

The event which was *aimed* at promoting mental health in the society is part of the activities to commemorate  the World Mental Health Day in the Urhiapele Deck chapter of the National Association of SeaDogs and similar exercise is being carried out in all the 64 chapters of the association worldwide.

The theme of this year's event is *"Together We Uphold Mental Health As Human Right".* Glory land International Secondary School, Amukpe, Sapele, was venue for the event.

 The Deck Capoon of the National Association of Seadogs, Urhiapele Deck, Dr Michael Eyide, explained that the event was another clear  demonstration of the association abiding commitment to contribute to the development of a just and egalitarian society.

He explained that the choice of picking a secondary school - Glory land International Secondary School, was  deliberate as the aim of the event was to sensitize the students, because their age bracket is more succeptible to peer group influence associated with drug abuse.  

Eyide, noted that many see education today as a scam, but maintained that most of them that came to sensitized the students are core profesionals who got to where they are today because of good education and advised the students to focus on their education and shun drugs.

Two of the resource persons: Dr Fredrick Adu, MD/CEO of Royal Clinic, and Mr Paul Ogboru, focal person on HIV/AIDS program at the Pharmacy Department, Central Hospital, Sapele, who spoke at the occasion summarized the effect of drugs as depression, mental disorder, lack of self esteem  and untimely death. They warned the students  to stay away from drugs and focus on their studies so as to become responsible children to their parents and the society at large.

In a vote of thanks, the Principal of Gloryland International Secondary School, Amukpe, Sapele, Mrs. 'Voke Ogboru, expressed joy that her school was chosen as a demonstration to all schools in the district, in view of how drugs have  damaged the lives of many youths.

She added that the lecture provided a vivid awareness of the terrible effect of drugs and commended the National Association of Seadogs for the gesture.

 The  National Association of Seadogs was founded in 1952, by those referred to as the original 7. They are Professor Wole Soyinka and six others, who were all youths at that time. The  Association has contributed immensely to national development through various forms of advocacy and humanitarian projects,  striving for the *"attainment of a just society"* which has inspired hope in communities around the world.

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