DrugFreeWorldAfrica

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.

Drug Free World Africa has joined the young leader’s network Lafia to campaign against drug abuse in political participation. The program which was organized by Young Leaders’ Network with the theme strengthening political youth participation at national level had youths from all works of life in attendance. The event which took place on 11th February 2022 in Nasarawa State had Mr Christopher in attendance. Mr. Christopher spoke on behalf of DFWA, on the dangers of drug abuse in political participation. The workshop focusing on hosting the 2023 general election with youths playing a responsible role to guarantee fair and free election had in attendance Mr Christopher Francis the DFWA Nasarawa State representative spoke to the youths on the dangers of drug abuse in political participation among youths and the need for young people to participate in politics on their individual capacity and not to be used as tugs. “It is high time our youths get involved in politics and as such should curb any form of drug abuse, because drug addicts can`t make good leaders”, he said. The event was a wake-up call for youths to join the political race and as well shun any form of drug usage for effective leadership.

Drug Free World Kaduna State chapter on DFWA Secondary School Project of School -School No to Drug Abuse Education centred on early awareness of drug education to schools to catch them young before drugs do, visited Nuba Royal Academy. Nuba Royal Academy one of the schools in Kaduna State Nigeria benefited from the exercise of School-School No to Drug Abuse when visited by the DFWA Kaduna team on 25th February 2022. By Rev. Lazarus Tena who led the team in the program spoke to the kids about the importance of refraining from drug abuse or any form of drug intake. The kids were overwhelmed with the eye-opening lectures given to them by the team on consequences of drug abuse. Students asked questions bordering them which were answered with role play participation and interactive section. According to Dr Tena Lazarus, the children were free to identify with us and made known some of their challenges they face at home and peer pressure. They shared their knowledge on new drugs inventions and of a particular one they called 7Days which they had tested and narrowly escaped death. They said 7Days is a concussion of different dry gins, human faeces and root liquid extract which has complicated stages of preparation of 7 days buried underground or around dirty hill in a bottled plastic. They said the drugs results to instant madness when taken and its newly invented in the community leading to group youths’ madness. “Some kids opened up to us on their intake of drugs in the past and asked what they could do to make things right” and they were reassured of the organisation support ad further protection of their vulnerability. Teachers- Parents No to Drug Abuse Education was identified to coach and council them and raise No to Drug Abuse Ambassadors within them for ongoing on to drug education and moral support within. We are happy we took this campaign to this younger generations and we will continue in our efforts to eradicate drug abuse in Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole to Africa at large, he added.

The global leaders of DWFA on a unique visitation to one of their leaders DR Christy Adams, discuss modalities for their September convention. The president of DFWA, Eng. Chinagorum Nkaru stated that the visitation meeting on 20th February 2022 was in preparation for the annual global convention. “The upcoming annual global convention won`t be a success if not well planned, and as such the meeting aims at encouraging face to face participation of team members for the success of the program and other activities of the organization.” She further stated that “Members of DFWA around the world meeting on a face-to-face level fosters relationship and helps inspire chapters across Africa” The program also has the aim of knowing the numbers of African Countries in partnership with them through the meeting.

As we mark the 2022 edition of the Valentine’s Day, we wish to remind young people that drugs does not spice up celebration. Love is never expressed with the intake of illicit substances or abuse of regular drugs, Love comes from within and expressed within. To make the celebration worth it, we need to be with people who will give us love and not drugs. We must clearly understand this no one can give what they do not have. The entire Drug Free World Africa team wants to remind young people across Africa that if you love yourself, you will stay away from any substance that will potentially destroy you. Beyond showing others love, we encourage you to love yourself; love your body and find love in passion where action lies and not drugs. You are always loved, happy Valentine.

DFWA Cross Rivers State Chapter has taken campaign against drug abuse to children on the street of Calabar Cross Rivers State on 10th February 2022. The campaign which took place in Ibom Layout, off Marian Street had in attendance health Personnel’s, Psychologist amongst many others. Dr, Hannah Ettah who led the team sensitized the children on the dangers of drug abuse and the need for its avoidance. she educated the children on better ways to earn a livelihood aside indulging in drugs and other social vices. “One of the forms of losing mental sanity is through drugs and to shun drug abuse is the best way to remain in control and strive to live a better life”. The organization provided the children with food and food stuff after the event. “Knowing that food is one of the necessities of human existence, we made available food and food stuff for these children, to help them feed properly while getting their hands on the right things to do” Dr, Ettah said.