The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced its intention to expand its efforts to combat drug abuse in secondary schools in Kwara. This initiative will be carried out in collaboration with schools through the establishment of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) school clubs.
This decision was conveyed in a statement released following a town hall meeting held with secondary school principals in Ilorin. During the meeting, Mr. Ibrahim Bashir, the Kwara Commander of NDLEA, emphasized the importance of incorporating WADA Clubs as part of extracurricular activities in secondary schools to reduce the prevalence of drug abuse among young people.
The agency also outlined plans to deploy trained volunteers to secondary schools to coordinate WADA activities and rejuvenate programs such as the ‘National Essay Competition’ to engage students positively. The statement emphasized the crucial role of teachers in preventing drug abuse and educating their students, suggesting that the Ministry of Education should make religious studies mandatory for students.
Furthermore, the meeting proposed leveraging modern technology, such as the creation of an app, internet, and social media, to educate students about the detrimental effects of drug abuse. Mr. Yahaya Aliyu, the Zonal Commander responsible for Zone ‘C’ encompassing Niger, Kogi, and Kwara States, highlighted the agency’s efforts in reducing drug abuse, both in terms of demand and supply, and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts among all stakeholders in the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA).
The meeting also agreed to establish suggestion boxes in various locations, including offices and schools, to gather ideas on how to effectively discourage young individuals from using illicit drugs and other harmful substances.