By Omonigho Okotie
ASABA/Nigeria: The second phase of the Drug-Free Delta Campaign has extended its school-based sensitisation drive to Delta South, with students in three schools receiving warnings on the consequences of illicit drug use and the need to protect their education and future ambitions.
The exercise, implemented by the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), took the campaign team to Aradhe Grammar School, Aradhe; Owelogbo Secondary School, Owelogbo; and Emore Grammar School, Oleh.
The latest engagement followed the commencement of Phase Two of the campaign on September 21, with the programme designed to reach young people across Delta’s three senatorial districts. Earlier reports on the campaign’s rollout showed that secondary and tertiary institutions were among its principal targets.
At the Delta South schools, the students were engaged in discussions covering drug abuse, prevention, peer influence and responsible decision-making, with officials stressing that early awareness could help young people recognise and avoid situations that may expose them to illicit substances.
The Director-General of the Bureau, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, was represented during the engagements by the Director of Orientation, Mrs Gertrude Onyekachukwu-Uteh, who conveyed his message to the students.
Onyekachukwu-Uteh told the students that the campaign was aimed at helping them understand the risks associated with illicit drugs and make choices that would not undermine their education and aspirations.
She said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration places emphasis on education and human capital development, adding that young people must be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to resist influences capable of compromising their future.
“You are the ones who must make the right choices for yourselves. Do not allow the use of illicit drugs to stand between you and the bright future you deserve,” she told the students.
The most detailed part of the engagement came from the NDLEA, where the agency’s Deputy State Commander, Mr Silas Omobhude, led an interactive session on drugs, their use and the legal implications of possessing or handling prohibited substances.
Omobhude explained that drugs can affect the central nervous system and alter normal bodily or mental functions. He also distinguished between medicines that are legally available and substances prohibited by law, stressing that even prescription medicines should not be taken indiscriminately.
He used tramadol to illustrate the point, explaining that its status as a medicine does not make unsupervised or inappropriate use safe.
The NDLEA official also warned the students against possessing, transporting, selling or keeping prohibited substances for other people, noting that involvement in such activities could result in arrest and prosecution.
The discussion went beyond the health implications of drug abuse as Omobhude linked substance use to possible disruptions to education, careers, relationships and personal ambitions.
He encouraged the students to remain focused on their goals and urged teachers and school authorities to provide the guidance and support necessary to help young people withstand negative peer and social influences.
The students used the interactive session to raise questions about why young people become involved in drugs, why harmful substances remain available and why some medicines require medical prescriptions.
Responding to the questions, Omobhude stressed that the fact that a substance is legally available does not mean it can be used without restrictions. He explained that some products are regulated while others are prohibited outright, with the law determining how different substances may be produced, sold or used.
The students were also advised to exercise caution at parties and other social gatherings, particularly when accepting food, drinks or other consumables from people whose intentions they cannot establish.
The sensitisation message was reinforced through a drama presentation by students, who portrayed the effects of drug abuse on individuals, families and the wider community.
The presentation provided a practical illustration of how decisions that may initially appear insignificant can have consequences for academic performance, relationships, career opportunities and personal development.
The students subsequently joined in an anti-drug chant as the campaign team reinforced the message of responsible choices and drug-free living.
A toll-free reporting channel was also made available to participants for reporting concerns relating to drug abuse and trafficking. Omobhude encouraged students and teachers to seek assistance and report suspicious situations rather than put themselves at unnecessary risk.
The principals and representatives of the participating schools welcomed the campaign, saying direct engagement with officials from the Orientation and Communications Bureau and the NDLEA gave students an opportunity to receive information and clarification from professionals working in the area.
The school authorities also highlighted the importance of strengthening War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Clubs as part of efforts to sustain anti-drug advocacy beyond the sensitisation visits.
According to them, active WADA Clubs could provide a peer-led platform through which students would promote responsible behaviour, healthy lifestyles and awareness of the consequences of substance abuse within their schools.
The Delta South engagements underline a central challenge in the fight against substance abuse: awareness cannot be limited to occasional public campaigns but has to reach young people where they learn, interact and make decisions about their lives.
With Phase Two of the Drug-Free Delta Campaign continuing across the state, the school-based approach is placing particular emphasis on equipping students with information early enough to recognise risks, resist pressure and seek help when necessary.
