About 2,500 people walked through the streets of Yaounde on July 2, 2016 to raise awareness on the issue.
As part of efforts to sensitise the public on the danger of drug abuse, addiction or trafficking, the National Drug Control Committee, NDCC, of the Ministry of Public Health and stakeholders held a march in Yaounde on July 2, 2016. Covering about five kilometres, it began and ended at the May 20 Avenue, passing through Nlongkak, Bata Nlongkak, Ntaba, Omnisports, Rue Foe, Essos, Mvog-Ada and the Central Post Office. The awareness walk saw the participation of about 2,500 people of all ages.
The representative of the Ministry of Public Health at the event, Sylvain Awono Mvogo, said it was meant to offer sports to young Cameroonians as an alternative to drug abuse. He said marching through the Ntaba, Foe Avenue and Essos neighbourhoods was symbolic in the sense that Ntaba and Essos were notorious drug abuse areas while the late Foe Marc Vivien was an exemplary footballer. “Engaging in regular sports ensures good health. The Ministry of Public Health also carries out activities to strengthen the fight against drug abuse by sensitising, communicating and collaborating with other ministries. Setting up a permanent secretariat to fight drug abuse shows how concerned government is about the problem,” Sylvain Awono noted.
According to Pascal Magloire Awono, the Permanent Secretary, National Drug Control Committee, the message to young people on holidays is to keep off drugs because of their devastating consequences. He appealed to those entering secondary school to beware of bad company, and medical and media staff to be examples because the young are watching them. Drugs are natural or synthetic substances that when consumed, destabilize the functioning of body organs, especially the brain or central nervous system.
This year’s anti-drug campaign was launched on May 3 on the occasion of the International Day Against Smoking. Stakeholders warn that smoking is the gateway to drug consumption. Meanwhile, the National Drug Control Committee is stepping up the anti-drug war all over the country.
