March 2022

The Cross Rivers State chapter of DFWA met on 26th March prepares ahead of April 12 which is the international day of the street child. Every year on April 12th, International Day for Street Children provides a voice for children that live on the street so their rights cannot be ignored. The day provides opportunities for human rights organizations to spread awareness about the number of street children throughout the world. Mr. Godswill the Cross Rivers State deputy rep of DFWA spoke to the team members about the forthcoming events and how they can be of help better the lives the street children. Dr. Etta made it clear to the house that DFWA is not about street children but rather about educating society about drug use and abuse, but will not hesitate to reach out to the street children by any means. “DFWA is not about street children but rather about educating the society about drug use and abuse, but we won`t hesitate to explore any opportunity to sow them love and reach out to people even if they are kids, especially on a day like this,” she said She also said the purpose of the meeting was to deliberate and plan for the April 12 international day of the street child and work out strategy to conve message of “Truth About Drugs” to them. Dr. Etta said the event will include cash, which will involve cooking, playing music, giving incentives (packages), playing off some PowerPoint videos of the drug addict, and securing a serene environment to achieve its purpose.

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has invited stakeholders and the general public for a one-day public hearing on drug abuse. The public hearing was on a bBill For a Law to Prohibit Substance Abuse and to provide Treatment for Substance Abusers and Addicts 2022. The event which took take place on the March 24th, 2022 was held at the conference hall, Nasarawa State House of Assembly Shendem Road, Lafia. Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon Usman Shafa, said the public hearing was organized to get intakes from the stakeholders on the bill. The lawmaker emphasized that the bill was called upon as a result of the illegal use of drugs by youths in the state and the country at large and the dangers of such actions. The bill is aimed to prohibiting substance abuse, as ell as to provide help for victims. “Young people who persistently abuse substances often experience an array of problems, including academic difficulties, health-related problems (including mental health), poor peer relationships, and involvement with the juvenile justice system. Additionally, there are consequences for family members, the community, and the entire society.” “these and many more are the problems we which to tackle through this bill”, he said Some of the stakeholders at the public hearing include NDLEA, NAFDAC, DFWA, Nigeria Medical Association, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, and many others.

Drug Free World Africa has organized an educational program for entertainers in Oyo State. The educational sensitization which took place on the 21st of March 2022 was a means to fight drug abuse in the entertainment industry. The Oyo state representative of DWFA Mr Baaki M Adewale explained to the entertainers that so many stars could not reach their potential due to drug addictions. He then encouraged them to use the craft to fight drug abuse instead of encouraging it as some in the industry do. “The entertainment industry may seem like a lot of glitz and glam, but is it also riddled with mental illness and substance abuse problems,” he said, He emphasized that Although sometimes it may be difficult to imagine, the abuse of these substances can change everything from your body to your bank account. “so many stars couldnt reach their potential due to drug addictions and now its for the film industries to play a significant role in exposing dangers of drug abuse to support our young stars to live drug-free-life”

As Drug Free World Africa look for better ways to fight drug addiction and rehabilitation in Africa, the group has looked at partnering with Narconon in the United Kingdom at the evet on 17/03/2022 Fitzroy Street London.gh Narconon which uses Natural detoxification process through exercises to quicken rehabilitation of drug abuse victims widerly used in Western countries can be a way to clean rehabilitation of drug addicts in Africa. With DFWA leaders in the UK attending the Narconon Conferennce, the group sees it as another angle that can quicken the rehabilitation in Africa. They said a modern rehabilitation an answere towards reinstating drug abusers into the community. DFWA Prsident, Engr. Chinagorum Nkaru who was present at the event alongside Morris Atula a DFWA a Patron and a pioneer DFWA Leader High Chief Tony Ogefere, said that Narconon is making rehabilitation a good experience, charging members of the team to work towards having similar facilities built in their respective areas. With Director Fitzroy House DFW, Sarah Eicker introducing Narcono as the modern drug detoxification process and a new way to Clean Rehabilitation from drug addiction, Engr. Chinagorum Nkaru said the innovation is what the entire world should look up so as to be able to cope with the rising cases of drug abuse globally.

On the March 11, 2022, outreach was held by Cross River State team members in the streets of Calabar to educate, inform and create awareness among the younger ones on drug abuse. A team of five including the Cross River State Rep. Dr. Hannah Etta were present at the event and spoke to children aged 7- 14 on the dangers of taking hard drugs. Dr. Ettah noted that In the streets of Calabar, Some of the teenagers who met were sniffing powdered glue out of pure water sachets, which intensified the need for the message against drug abuse. “most of them were sniffing powdered glue out of pure water sachets, it was heartbreaking to behold such sights, that is the reason we need to still put all hands on deck to make sure we win this fight against drug abuse” Dr. Hannah explained. Mr. God`swill John, the Cross Rivder State Deputy Rep of DFWA spoke to the older boys and made them understand the consequences of using harmful substances. He insisted that if these children must stop abusing drugs, a lot more needs to be done by all stakeholders, beginning with getting them off the streets. The kids were happy to be remembered by the organization and its members and called for more of their campaigns. The Rep DFWA Dr. Ettah said food and raw food items were shared with the kids after the lectures. ” After the talks, courtesy of DFWA , we provided them with cooked food, food items(those that can cook), clothes to the bigger children and bought food from a local vendor for the younger children that specified their demand” “Medical care was administered to a young lad who had an infected wound too” Dr, Hannah noted.

As Drug Free World Africa Representatives on media skill-up, team members have received media training. The workshop which was conducted by the training department of the organization empowered members with on-the-go media skills. The virtual training was hosted by Timi Macquade, the DFWA’s head of the Training Department on the 7th of March 2022. In attendance were all country and state representatives, with the goal being to enable them to give their events proper media coverage with minimal pieces of equipment. The participants also learned graphics designing skills that will enable them to put up professional designs and presentations at all times.

The fight against drug abuse and its dangers has been taken to patent and proprietary medicine vendors (PPMVs) in Kano State. The sensitization which was in commemoration of world vendors day took place at Murtala Mohammed Library Ahmadu Bello way Kano State on March 5, 2022 as a result of the growing need to shun drug abuse. Nrua Sani the representative of Drug free world Africa Kano State emphasized the need to enlighten and educate the patent and proprietary medicine vendors in the state about the dangers of selling or taking harmful drug substances. He stated that nobody should be left out in the fight against drug abuse as it is the responsibility of all Nigerians to live a drug-free life. “The message of illegal intake of harmful drug substances should be a fight by all and for all, we brought this message to patent and proprietary medicine vendors because we believe they have a role to play in this fight, they have a responsibility of educating people on the ill sides of drug abuse,” he said The event was colorful as some recognized personalities in kano were present. The Emir of Kano was ably represented, and the emir of Bichi, Karaye and Rano emirates was also represented at the event. The Special Adviser to Kano State governor on Cabinet Affairs Mr. Sagir Muhammad represented the Kano State Government.

Drug Free World Africa has taken their No To Drug Abuse sensitization tour to the Ministry of Sports Nasarawa State. The visit which took place on the 3rd of March 2022, had the DWFA Nasarawa State Representative Mr. Christopher Francis and other team members in attendance. DWFA team stated that the visit was prompted by the need to cave strategy towards control of drug abuse and illicit substance trafficking amongst youths in the state, especially in the sports sector. “there is a huge connection between sports and drug abuse. Many athletes do what they can to win and sometimes indulge in drugs enhancement which is sometimes over used and hence drug abuse. This can be misleading to our youths who look up to them as their role model and our visit was for us to partner with the Ministry and ensure our message reaches everyone in the sector” “Drug abuse has also cut short the dreams of many athletes and this is simply preventable if they had the right education in the area of the truth about drug abuse”, he said after the visit. Those in attendance during the meeting include the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development Ambassador Lucky Yargwa; the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alh. Abubakar A. Umar and DFWA Nasara State Deputy Rep, Elder Monday Ovye Kasimu . Ambassador Lucky Yargwa appreciated DFWA for the visit, encouraging them to continue in the fight against drug abuse in the state in the state.