A Nigerian non-governmental organisation, Adorable Foundation International (AFI), has intensified calls for collective action to curb drug abuse through youth-driven advocacy, preventive education and community engagement.
Speaking in Awka, Anambra State, at the unveiling of the 2026 edition of its flagship initiative, A Societal Awareness Campaign Against Drug Abuse (ASACADA) AFI Founder and President, Princess Ada Okeke Anam, urged governments, educational institutions, parents and civil society organisations to adopt a comprehensive, health-focused approach to tackling substance abuse and cult-related activities among young people.
According to Anam, prevention, early detection and sustained engagement remain the most effective strategies in addressing drug misuse, particularly within higher institutions where peer pressure and experimentation are prevalent.
“Prevention, early intervention and sustained engagement are critical,” she said. “Drug intake is one of the fastest ways to destroy a promising future. The safest and healthiest choice is not to start at all,” she stated.
For over a decade, AFI has conducted awareness campaigns in secondary schools and universities across Lagos, Abuja and Anambra State, establishing ASACADA clubs in more than 30 schools to promote peer education and youth leadership.
The foundation has also extended its sensitisation programmes to Ghana, highlighting the cross-border dimension of youth substance abuse.
Beyond awareness rallies, the organisation has engaged healthcare professionals and visited hospitals to spotlight the medical consequences of drug abuse.
Health experts warn that misuse of prescription medications, cannabis, opioids, stimulants and other psychoactive substances can lead to addiction a chronic brain disorder as well as depression, anxiety, psychosis and other mental health conditions.
Substance abuse is also associated with cardiovascular disease, liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, weakened immunity, increased risk of infectious diseases, impaired judgment and a higher likelihood of accidents, violence and suicide.
For adolescents and young adults whose brains are still developing, drug exposure can permanently affect memory, learning capacity, impulse control and emotional regulation.
A distinctive feature of AFI’s strategy is the use of a beauty pageant as a platform for health and social advocacy.
The ASACADA Queen competition selects a young female student, aged 18–30, to serve a two-year tenure leading anti-drug and anti-cultism campaigns in schools and communities.
Unveiling the 2026 competition, scheduled to be held in Abuja, the National Coordinator of Afri Tours, Ken Chidi, announced that entries are open to female students in higher institutions who are willing to champion the cause.
“We are opening the platform to young women who want to represent this movement and contribute meaningfully to building a drug-free society,” he said.
AFI President, Anam explained that the pageant model resonates strongly with youths due to peer influence and visibility. Campaign materials displayed at the event carried clear health messages such as: “Say No To Drug Abuse,” “Choose Hugs, Not Drugs,” and “Break the Habit, Live a Drug-Free Life.”
In addition to substance abuse, the campaign addresses cultism, which continues to undermine safety, academic performance and mental well-being in parts of Nigeria’s educational system.
Experts noted that beyond its health implications, drug abuse contributes to school dropout, unemployment, domestic violence, criminal behaviour and long-term socio-economic instability.
AFI observed that rehabilitation centres remain limited and often expensive in many parts of Nigeria, underscoring the urgency of preventive education and accessible mental health services.
“Fathers who abuse drugs endanger their families. Students who abuse drugs endanger their future,” Anam said, stressing the importance of parental guidance, open communication and mentorship in an era shaped by evolving youth culture and digital influence.
As preparations begin for the 2026 ASACADA campaign, AFI is urging policymakers, parents, educators, religious leaders and young people to work together in building a safer, healthier and drug-free generation.
“The fight against drug abuse is not just a campaign. It is a shared public health responsibility,” Anam added.