NGO campaigns against drug use without prescription

Convenner of the Satisfied Soul Initiative free medical outreach in Ketu, Lagos State, Mrs. Abosede Iyi-Eweka, has urged Nigerians not to abuse drugs by purchasing them over the counter without a doctor’s prescription.

She made this known on Saturday during the NGO’s free diabetes, hypertension, blood sugar test and other related issues from drug abuse for youths, market men and women in Ketu.

According to her, many Nigerians do not go to the hospital or consult doctors before consuming drugs that could be harmful to their bodies with varying side effects. “Some of these drugs need to be taken only after some tests have been conducted to ascertain the dosage. Also, some are taking to drugs because of frustration,” she said.

She noted that the screening, which held at Ketu garage, was meant to encourage medical check up by citizens and also to discourage drug abuse, which has contributed to the rate of suicide in the country.

Also speaking, Dr. Odema Daniel, a public health specialist, noted that failure to know one’s health status through medical check up might lead to sudden loss of life. He also advised that purchase and use of un-prescribed drugs should be discouraged by parents.