Delta Govt Launches Statewide Campaign Against Drug Abuse in Schools
ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Government has launched a statewide campaign to tackle drug abuse and the use of illicit substances among students in secondary schools and higher institutions across the state.
The initiative, spearheaded by the State Orientation and Communications Bureau, is themed “No Drugs, Healthy Living for a Greater Future.”
Speaking at the inauguration of the campaign at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, disclosed that the state government was considering introducing drug testing kits as a prerequisite for students seeking admission into higher institutions.
Citing a study published in the African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies, the governor noted that illicit drug use had been linked to deviant behaviours such as truancy and stealing among young people. He stressed that the government was working closely with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other stakeholders to implement an aggressive statewide awareness campaign.
“Starting from secondary schools across the state, the Drug-Free Delta campaign will also extend to institutions of higher learning,” Onojaeme said. “As the NDLEA Commander suggested, we will consider the proposal to use drug testing kits as a prerequisite for students’ admissions into higher institutions. Let me also add that we are going to include the primary schools.”
He further revealed that the government was accelerating work on the rehabilitation center at Kwale Central Hospital, which would serve as a counselling, rehabilitation, and skill acquisition facility for affected individuals. He urged teachers, parents, and community leaders to support the campaign to ensure a safer society.
Earlier, the Director-General of the State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr. Oghenesivbe Latimore, explained that the campaign aimed to create awareness about the dangers of drug abuse among young people, particularly students.
“The rising wave of drug abuse among young people is alarming. This campaign is a proactive approach to addressing the menace by educating, sensitizing, and empowering youths with the necessary knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their health and well-being,” Oghenesivbe stated.
He noted that the first phase of the campaign would focus on secondary schools, while subsequent phases would target higher institutions.
Also speaking, the State NDLEA Commander, Barr. Abubakar Wada, outlined the agency’s efforts in combating drug abuse, including reducing supply and demand, conducting operations on cannabis farms, and destroying illicit drugs. He said the proposal for drug testing kits in tertiary institutions aimed at identifying affected victims and providing necessary counselling and rehabilitation.
The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, represented by the Majority Leader and Member representing Aniocha North, Engr. Emeka Nwaobi, along with other stakeholders, delivered goodwill messages, urging students to abstain from drug abuse to safeguard their future.
