By Aisha Tamba
Friendship Zone Association last week sensitised students of Bakoteh Annex Lower Basic School on dangers associated with illicit drugs, teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse and the role of young people in nation building.
The Association was in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, under the theme ‘in union, commitment and dedication, we can make positive improvement within our societies’.
Ousman Gibba of the Association, said: “Parents of children would sometimes send their kids to go buy them cigarettes from the shop. We think is important therefore to sensitise them on dangers associated with drug and drug usage.”
“It is important to sensitise the children about drugs. If they are sensitised at this early age in their life before they grow up they will understand the effects of it,” commented one Ms Adam Jang, who urged the Association to keep up the momentum.
“Children are the future leaders and the only way they can be responsible is when they are sensitised. In The Gambia we have a youthful population and drugs are harming children, even adults, because of the lack of knowledge on these illicit drugs,” she added.
Assistant head girl of school Kumba Baldeh, expressed delight and gratitude to the organisation, and said: “I am very happy that this people are here to sensitise us about drugs.
Tomorrow if I see people someone using it I will tell him this is not good for your health. I learned that sometimes people using drugs do not know how harmful it is.”
The Friendship Zone Association is a non-profit making organisation founded in 2014 by one Bakary Jabbi.
The Association comprises of young people who said they are ready to “form a united front” to embarking on development activities within the county.
