Delta State Reaffirms Commitment to Drug-Free Campaign, Urges Collective Action
By Omonigho Okotie
ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State government has re-emphasized the importance of its Drug-Free Delta Campaign, calling on all stakeholders to intensify efforts in education, prevention, and rehabilitation to curb the menace of drug abuse.
The Director-General of the Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, made this known during a live radio program, Orientation Panorama, on Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS) on Wednesday, February 25, 2025. Represented by the Bureau’s Director of Orientation, Mrs. Gertrude Onyekachukwu-Uteh, he stressed the need to sensitize young people, particularly secondary school students, on the dangers of drug abuse.
He revealed that in the first phase of the sensitization campaign, the Bureau engaged with 34 secondary schools across the state’s three senatorial districts. The initiative sought to address misconceptions about drug abuse while equipping students with the knowledge and tools to make informed choices and avoid addiction.
Oghenesivbe noted that the reception from students and school authorities was encouraging. “The initiative is informative, expository, and educative. The students, teachers, and principals found it insightful,” he said, adding that many students initially hesitated but later engaged actively in discussions, sharing their knowledge about various substances.
He emphasized that illicit drugs do not enhance productivity but rather lead to severe health and social consequences, including kidney failure, liver malfunction, insanity, crime, and imprisonment. He urged parents, teachers, religious leaders, and traditional rulers to take proactive roles in educating young people about the dangers of drug abuse.
While commending Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his support, he highlighted the Bureau’s collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in executing the campaign. He described interactive sessions as key to the program’s success, noting that role-playing exercises helped students understand the realities of peer pressure and the consequences of substance abuse.
He recounted a heartbreaking story of a young graduate who lost a scholarship and was denied a Canadian visa after unknowingly consuming a cake laced with hard drugs at a friend’s birthday party. According to NDLEA officials, drug substances can remain in the bloodstream for up to 90 days. He warned that if the state government adopts a Drug Integrity Test for students entering higher institutions, many unsuspecting youths could be exposed and sent to rehabilitation centers.
He also advised students to be mindful of their social circles, citing an incident where NDLEA officers rescued a group of girls who were about to be assaulted after unknowingly consuming drug-laced food and drinks at a party.
Beyond warning against drug abuse, the campaign also promoted positive alternatives, encouraging students to set goals, pursue their dreams, and find healthy outlets for personal growth. He urged students to seek guidance from trusted adults and actively participate in the newly inaugurated War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Club.
He concluded by calling on Deltans to support the fight against drug abuse and report cases of illicit drug use to the NDLEA through its toll-free line: 080010203040.
