Some stakeholders in the campaign against drug abuse have warned secondary school students in Edo State to steer clear of drugs due to their inherent dangers.
DAILY POST reports that the stakeholders, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and health experts, issued the warning on Friday in Benin City at a sensitisation seminar organised by the NDDC.
The seminar is part of the federal government agency’s efforts to promote healthy living among youths in the Niger Delta and followed a street awareness rally that took place on Thursday in Benin City.
Speaking at the seminar, the Commander of NDLEA, Edo State Command, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said a drug-related criminal record could prevent anyone from holding political office or achieving career goals.
Ofoyeju listed cigarettes, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine (ice), and synthetic cannabinoids (loud) as some of the substances commonly abused by young Nigerians. He stated that addiction destroys the brain, ruins careers, and shatters lives.
“Your future depends on the choices you make today. Young people are responsible for the outcome of their lives. Every drug impairs the brain, the very organ that makes you a student. If your brain stops functioning, you have no business in school. Guard it jealously. Once you have a drug-related criminal record, it can follow you for life and prevent you from holding political office or achieving your career dreams,” he advised.
The NDLEA Commander also warned that drug abuse could lead to organ damage, psychiatric disorders, risky behaviour, road accidents, crime, imprisonment, and even premature death.
In his remarks, Professor Ehiagiator Adayonfo, Head of the Mental Health Department at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), urged students to resist peer pressure and negative influences from social media.
Adayonfo also encouraged parents and schools to promote sports, skill acquisition, and other creative engagements as alternatives to channel young people’s energy positively.
“There is every need for students to stay away from factors that may pull them towards drug use. The best option is prevention. Once you step into substance abuse, it becomes very difficult to come out,” he added.
In his goodwill message, Hon. Patrick Aisowieren, Edo State representative on the NDDC board, urged the students to assimilate the critical lessons from the seminar. Represented by Liberty Omoruyi, he told students that the day they choose to use drugs is the day they tamper with their brains.
“When you tamper with your brain, you could become less human because you have destroyed the organ that makes you different from other animals,” he said, urging them to “flee from bad company” and peer influence.
Dr. Maureen Ekhoragbon, Chairman of the Edo Senior Secondary School Education Board, commended the “Catch Them Young” initiative of the state government, stressing the need for broader community engagement. She noted that what students do today will determine their success in the future.
“What you do today will determine your success tomorrow. Your teenage years are a time of investment, and what you invest in yourself today will determine your future. So, invest wisely,” she added.
Mrs. Aiyegbeni Balogun, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Humanitarian Affairs, described drug abuse as “a major threat to the health, education, and aspirations of our young people.”
“You are precious, carefully and wonderfully made. Do not waste the potential that the Lord has endowed you with. Take the lessons shared here to heart and let them guide you in resisting negative influences,” she said, reaffirming the ministry’s support for initiatives that safeguard youth.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Mrs. Mercy Babawale, Director of NDDC in Edo State, said the sensitisation campaign is part of the commission’s strategy to build healthier communities across the Niger Delta. She added that the campaign aims to raise awareness among secondary school students about the dangers of drug use and encourage responsible lifestyle choices.
