By Ameh Gabriel
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in collaboration with the MTN Foundation, has launched a nationwide anti-drug awareness campaign targeting youths, particularly university students. The campaign, which kicked off at the University of Abuja, is aimed at curbing the rising cases of substance abuse among young Nigerians.
The Secretary to the NDLEA, Mr. Shedrack Haruna, explained that the initiative emphasizes prevention as a more sustainable approach to drug control. “If we can prevent drug use and trafficking through awareness and enforcement, the need for punitive action becomes minimal,” he said.
Haruna highlighted the strategic importance of engaging university communities. “Most users are youths. If we succeed in reducing drug use among students, we would have tackled over 70% of the problem,” he added.
On the effectiveness of past interventions, he noted that while Nigeria still grapples with drug-related issues, significant progress is being made. “The Nigerian population in Thai prisons has dropped significantly. That tells us our efforts are working, even though more mapping and research are needed,” he said, referencing UNODC’s 2018 data which estimated that 14.7 million Nigerians were using drugs.
Focusing on Root Causes
Haruna emphasized that the agency’s focus is not only on street-level peddlers but on identifying and dismantling drug supply chains. “Street dealers are just the surface. Our primary targets are drug barons and cannabis growers. Once the root is cut off, the branches wither,” he said.
He added that NDLEA also offers rehabilitation to drug-dependent individuals arrested during operations, while simultaneously pursuing large-scale suppliers through intelligence-driven raids.
Legal Reforms in Progress
On legal reforms, Haruna called for stricter penalties. “Optional fines for convicted traffickers undermine deterrence. We’ve proposed amendments to remove such loopholes. The amended law is awaiting presidential assent,” he disclosed.
MTN Foundation’s Youth-Focused Campaign
Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Mrs. Odunayo Sanya, said the anti-substance abuse program (ASAP), launched in 2019, is driven by the alarming statistics on youth drug abuse in Nigeria.
“Nigeria’s population is largely youth-driven, and over 70% are under 25. Drug use among this group endangers our future as a nation,” he stated.
In 2023, the Foundation reached 30,000 secondary school students and trained 1,000 teachers across the six geopolitical zones. This year, it plans to impact 86,000 students and 1,500 teachers, focusing on early prevention among children aged 11–15. “Our goal is not to rehabilitate, but to prevent the first use of drugs,” he explained.
MTN Foundation is also funding a research initiative in collaboration with the UNODC to update drug-use data among young Nigerians.
Government Perspective and Health Sector Role
Dr. Betta Edu, Director, Narcotics and Drug Abuse Division, Federal Ministry of Health, described the campaign as a crucial step in Nigeria’s fight against substance abuse. “Awareness is key. The annual World Drug Day helps draw national attention to this challenge. The theme, ‘Invest in Prevention’, is both timely and urgent,” she said.
Edu referenced the Nigeria Epidemiological Network on Drug Use, which tracks rehabilitation center data monthly. “An increase in treatment-seeking behavior is proof that awareness is gaining ground,” she asserted, calling for the expansion of treatment centers across the country.
Student Leaders Join the Fight
Student leaders at the University of Abuja praised the campaign. SUG Provost, Michael Awu Kachinemere, called the initiative “a powerful statement against drug use on campuses.” He urged students to avoid drugs, saying, “The only thing that can cage your future is drug addiction.”
SUG Secretary-General, John Williams, noted that the University of Abuja has made great strides in managing drug use on campus. “We are committed to supporting this campaign for a drug-free university environment,” he said.
