Drug Free World Africa (DFWA) has officially launched a major anti-drug campaign and unveiled its first education workbook leaflet, “Steering Dynamic Drug-Free Youth,” as part of renewed efforts to curb substance abuse among young people in Nigeria and across Africa.
The inauguration and launch ceremony, held in Abuja, marked the formal commencement of DFWA’s campaign activities against drug abuse. The event, themed “From Awareness to Action: Together We Can End Drug Abuse,” brought together government officials, security agencies, parents, students, youth groups and victims of substance abuse to strategize on sustainable prevention and education.
In her address, the Country Director of Drug Free World Africa, Hon. Dr. Lina Ikereke, stressed that combating drug abuse requires collective responsibility and long-term commitment. She said DFWA was established to safeguard young people and help reshape Africa’s future through early education and preventive interventions.
Dr. Ikereke referenced the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which advocates early prevention as the most effective means of protecting future generations from the scourge of drug abuse.
Dr. Ikereke further called for increased and sustained investment in prevention programmes that address the root causes of substance abuse. She disclosed that since its inception, DFWA has operated across seven African countries and 23 states in Nigeria, engaging over 165 schools and 50 communities.
According to her, the organisation has trained more than 50,000 teachers, implemented 25 school programmes, organised 35 parent-teacher workshops, distributed over one million educational booklets, supported vulnerable children through rehousing initiatives, and introduced 5,000 early-years drug-education leaflets at the launch.
Delivering a keynote presentation, Senator Patrick Ndubueze urged parents to pay closer attention to their children’s mental health and maintain healthy communication, noting that parental guidance plays a critical role in preventing drug abuse. He also emphasized community participation as a key factor in safeguarding young people and promoting a healthier lifestyle.
Also speaking at the event, the Controller General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), represented by Dr. Etuka Chizoba, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ending drug abuse and substance misuse in Nigeria. He assured stakeholders of the NDLEA’s readiness to collaborate with organisations such as DFWA to achieve a drug-free society.
Participants at the event, including students and youth, engaged in interactive sessions and discussions focused on prevention, awareness and recovery. Stakeholders expressed concern over statistics indicating that about 44 per cent of Nigeria’s population engages in substance use, with youths accounting for 77 per cent of users, underscoring the urgency for coordinated action.
The highlight of the ceremony was the official unveiling of DFWA’s new drug-abuse education workbook, “Steering Dynamic Drug-Free Youth,” designed to equip young people with practical knowledge and strengthen prevention efforts.
Organisers described the launch as the beginning of a renewed, multi-layered approach involving families, schools, civil society and government authorities to tackle drug abuse and secure a healthier future for Nigeria’s youth.
