The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) has cautioned the public, especially the youth, against the excessive abuse of tramadol and cough mixtures containing components of codeine, as they give similar effects of narcotics substances.

In a statement issued to the GNA on Wednesday, to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (World Drug Day), NACOB said drug trafficking was known to fuel money laundering, terrorism, corruption and transnational organized crime, which has become a problem for the world.

The World Drug Report (UNODC) 2017 estimates that about 190,000 people lost their lives to drug abuse and a higher number of them also suffered from drug use disorders and its related diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B &C and Tuberculosis.

The theme for this year’s World Drug Day is: ‘Listen First-Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe.”

The theme focused on addressing the general concerns of Children and the Youth in the society as well as throwing more light on parents to take up their full responsibility in helping shape the lives of our youth.

The celebration would address the need for parents, guardians, and the community to cultivate the habit of listening to children and youth to be abreast with their needs, concerns, emotions and all that pertains to their general wellbeing.

“In view of this, parents, guardians, clergy and the community are encouraged to monitor the daily activities of the children; the friends they keep, what they watch on social media and frequent their schools to ask of the performance and behaviour of their children etc.” the statement said.

It added that when parents and their children become sensitive to each other’s feelings, it will go a long way to build a mutual trust and confidence leading the children to naturally preserve their family bonds.

Each year, the international community celebrates June 26 as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (also known as World Drug Day).

It is a day set aside by the UN to raise awareness about the effects of drug abuse and illicit trafficking on the individual, community and the world at large.

On this day member states are expected to organise sensitization programmes that will enlighten the citizenry on the dangers and negative effects of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

“NACOB is assuring the general public of its commitment to address the challenges of drug abuse and illicit trafficking and also to increase awareness of the need for parents, guardians and the community at large to pay more attention to the needs of their wards,” the statement added.