ABRAKA/Nigeria: The War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign is set to commence in Abraka, Delta State, on Monday, November 17, 2025, as part of a renewed community-based effort to curb the growing menace of substance abuse in the state. The movement, spearheaded by Dr. Uche Esegbue, Convener of Wisdom Class, will also hold a follow-up rally in Asaba on November 24, 2025.
Dr. Esegbue, a health advocate and social reformer, announced the initiative in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the campaign will include peaceful awareness rallies, voluntary drug testing, and the establishment of rehabilitation centers in key Delta communities such as Abraka and Obiaruku.
According to him, the campaign stems from the declaration of a state of emergency on drug abuse made during a WisdomClassTV broadcast on September 30, 2023. He said the declaration became necessary after observing what he described as the “consistent failure of federal and state governments, as well as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to effectively confront the crisis.”
“Twenty months after that declaration, no meaningful step has been taken to address the growing problem of drug addiction among our youth. The World Health Organization and other international agencies have also shown little interest in tackling this humanitarian emergency,” Dr. Esegbue said.
He explained that the Wisdom Class LiveCare Impact Initiative, in partnership with the WADA Club, has decided to fill the gap by setting up functional rehabilitation centers and launching public sensitization campaigns. The centers, he noted, will offer free voluntary drug testing, counseling, and rehabilitation services, particularly for youths and destitute persons addicted to illicit substances.
“We are calling on government institutions, NGOs, religious bodies, and community leaders to support this initiative. All hands must be on deck in this fight to save lives,” he urged.
Dr. Esegbue emphasized the importance of early intervention and rehabilitation, revealing that “any addict who can abstain from drugs for three weeks can test negative.” He encouraged drug users to take advantage of the campaign’s free testing and treatment program to begin their journey to recovery.
Beyond awareness, the WADA initiative is also pushing for policy reform, including a review of existing NDLEA laws and the introduction of mandatory drug testing in tertiary institutions before admission, with confirmed users referred for rehabilitation rather than punishment.
“The fight against drug abuse must go beyond enforcement; it must include care, compassion, and rehabilitation,” Dr. Esegbue said.
He added that part of the campaign’s long-term objective is to empower rehabilitated addicts with vocational skills and opportunities for reintegration into society.
Dr. Esegbue appealed to both the Delta State Government and the general public for partnership and funding support, noting that the War Against Drug Abuse movement represents “a community’s last line of defense against a silent epidemic.”
With the November 17 rally in Abraka serving as the official flag-off, the campaign is expected to mobilize schools, civil society organizations, and health workers in a sustained fight to reduce drug dependency and restore hope to affected families across Delta State.
