Manny Ita
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has expanded its drug-awareness sensitization activities across educational institutions and youth centers as a core component of its strategy to prevent substance abuse among young Nigerians. These initiatives are being executed under the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) framework, a multi-dimensional approach that integrates education, prevention, counseling, and community engagement alongside traditional enforcement operations.
In Katsina State, the NDLEA Command reported significant reach through its localized awareness drive. According to the State Commander, CN Samaila Danmallam, the command conducted 203 sensitization programs in schools and various social settings, reaching approximately 75,135 beneficiaries, including secondary school students, teachers, parents, and community members. These programs focus on educating youth regarding the physiological and legal dangers of drug abuse while providing practical strategies to resist peer pressure.
The agency’s outreach includes classroom sessions, public lectures, and counseling activities which operate in tandem with recent enforcement successes. During the same period, the Katsina command seized thousands of kilograms of illicit substances, including cannabis and codeine, and arrested over one thousand suspects. This balanced methodology highlights the agency’s commitment to a “blend of prevention and action” to address the narcotics crisis.
Current sensitization efforts are designed to lower the demand for illicit drugs by empowering students with life skills that reduce the likelihood of experimentation. Beyond immediate outreach, the NDLEA is seeking to embed drug education into broader national strategies. This includes a proposed overhaul of school curricula and strengthened partnerships with the Ministry of Education and state authorities to implement mandatory drug testing policies and collaborative awareness programs involving parents and enforcement agencies.
The intensified drive reflects a strategic recognition that education is an essential complement to enforcement. By fostering community resilience and promoting early intervention services, the NDLEA aims to curb rising addiction trends and encourage healthy lifestyles among the nation’s youth population.
