The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, in collaboration with the Nsokpo Dynamic Association, has intensified efforts to combat drug abuse among young people by sensitising students of Presentation Secondary School, Ogbaku, in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State on the dangers of illicit drug use.
The awareness campaign formed part of activities marking the 2026 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed annually on June 26 to strengthen global action and cooperation in addressing drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
Speaking during the programme, President of the Nsokpo Dynamic Association, Mark Onyejiaka, said the campaign was designed to educate students on the harmful effects of drug abuse and encourage them to make informed choices.
He noted that exposing young people to the dangers of substance abuse at an early age would help reduce drug dependence and other social vices among youths.
The Chief Superintendent of Narcotics, NDLEA Imo State Command, Chiamaka Ugbe, warned that drug abuse poses serious health, social, and economic consequences for individuals, families, and society.
Ugbe urged the students to resist peer pressure, stay away from illicit substances, and become ambassadors of the anti-drug campaign in their schools and communities.
She stressed that the fight against drug abuse required the collective efforts of parents, schools, religious bodies, communities, and government institutions.
According to the 2025 World Drug Report released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, about 316 million people, representing six per cent of the global population aged between 15 and 64, use illicit drugs, with the figure rising steadily over the past decade.
The report also estimates that about 14.3 million Nigerians, representing 14.4 per cent of the population within the same age bracket, abuse psychoactive substances, highlighting the need for sustained public awareness and preventive interventions.
The organisers expressed optimism that continuous sensitisation of young people would contribute significantly to building a healthier, safer, and more productive society.
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