The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) kwara State Command has revealed plans to partner with secondary schools in the state in its war against drugs by setting up War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) school clubs.
The agency made this public in a communique issued after the town hall meeting with Principals of secondary schools in Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital, North Central Nigeria.
As part of the suggestion given by the Kwara State Commander, Ibrahim Mohammed Bashir, he spoke on the need to set up WADA Club as part of extra curriculum activities in Secondary Schools in order to curtail the prevalence of drug abuse amongst youths.
The Agency also revealed plans to station trained volunteers in Secondary Schools, to help coordinate the WADA activities and also revamp programmes such as the National Essay Competition to engage the students positively.
The communique further stressed that teachers have a crucial role to play in drug abuse prevention and education to their students adding that the Ministry of Education should make Religious Studies compulsory for all Students especially those in Senior Secondary Schools.
The meeting also suggested the use of modern technology to connect with the youths through the creation of an app, or the use of internet or social media to educate students on the adverse effects of Drug Abuse.
During the meeting, the Zonal Commander of the agency in charge of Zone ‘C’ comprising of Niger, Kogi and Kwara States, Yahaya Aliyu, an Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, spoke on the role of the Agency in curtailing Drug Abuse which includes; Demand and Supply Reduction.
He also mentioned that there should be collaborative efforts by all stakeholders in the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA).
The meeting also agreed to create a suggestion box in different locations, especially in offices and schools on how best to discourage youths from taking illicit drugs and other substances.
At the town hall meeting, the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Abdulkadir Mahe Aliyu urged the Agency to step up efforts in the WADA activities and seek indulgence from the Principals and Stakeholders to key into such programmes fully in their various schools and communities.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA, Kwara State Command, has held an exhibition of products produced by the clients currently undergoing rehabilitation, tagged: “Empowering Recovery Through Creativity”.
The Exhibition was graced by the Zonal Commander, Zone C Minna, the Deputy Zonal Commander, representative of the Nigerian Army, chairperson, kwara State Drug Control Committee and other dignitaries and stakeholders.
Stakeholders who spoke at the event applauded and welcomed the initiative in the treatment and rehabilitation of drug-dependent persons in the society.
* Twenty-one victims of drug abuse trained*
The State Commander of the agency, Mohammed Bashir Ibrahim noted that the command has trained about twenty one persons who were previous victims of substance abuse on various skill acquisitions particularly in the areas of liquid soap production, shoe and bag making amongst other capacity building and developmental areas so as to keep them relevant when they finally re-integrate into the society.
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