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The Presbyterian Boys Secondary School felt the presence of DFWA Ghana as a message of “Yes to Sports No to drugs” was sent to the sports team.  The 27th of June celebration is a means of creating awareness in commemoration of the international drug-free day. The team noted to the students that some athletes make use of drugs to enhance their skills and do well in sports which is not a welcome development and a bad influence on their skills. DFWA Ghana Country Rep Mr. Johnson Kportufe spoke to the students about the dangers of drugs in sports and encouraged them to work hard to enhance their skills. DFWA Ghana also visited Tema Secondary School educating students on sports benefits but not drugs. The students of Tema secondary school were properly lectured on the dangers of drug abuse and students were allowed to ask questions concerning the subject matter. The students of Achimota Secondary school were not left out in the awareness exercise as the students were educated on Free sport and no to drugs. Mr. Johnson Kportufe who is the state rep of DFWA Ghana speaking to the students told them that he stands for “no to drugs yes to sports” and discouraged the students from drug abuse.

DFWA Imo state chapter on the 26tth June 2022 campaigned around the state in commemoration of the international drug-free day. DFWA Project Facilitator Dr. Lina Okereke who doubles as the SA Health Imo State took her team on a visit to schools in the state to celebrate the day. The No to Drug Abuse walk started around Government House Owerri to other venues marking the International Day against Drug Abuse. One of the schools visited during the walk was Ikenegbu girls’ secondary school, the school felt the presence of the team as lectures on drugs and the importance of drug abstinence were taught to the students. Dr. Lina pointed out the consequences of drug abuse to the students and made them understand that saying No to peer pressure to indulge in drugs is the best decision. “You own your future in your hands, you don`t allow people to decide your future for you, it is better to turn down a friend’s urge to indulge in drugs than accept and jeopardize your future. “We are ladies and are meant to live a life worthy of emulation for the sake of the generations that will come through us, remember what you do today, has a way of affecting the future,” she said, Dr. Lina Okereke explained and handed over Teaching Aids, Manuals, Materials, and Drug leaflets from Drug-Free World Africa to the Principal of the school for the sustainability of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA). It was an eventful outing for the team and a memorable day for the students of the DFWA visited.

DFWA Borno State Chapter has joined other agencies to mark the June 26th International day against drug abuse and illicit substance trafficking in Maiduguri the capital city of Borno State. DFWA Borno in collaboration with other agencies such as the Nigeria drug law enforcement agency (NDLEA) took the drug-free world message to residents of the state. The event had in attendance school children, government officials, paramilitary operatives, and other residents of the state. The state rep of DFWA spoke to the participants on the dangers of drug abuse and the need to keep on hammering on this issue. He stated that young people are been indulged in the illicit use of drugs with the notion that it is nothing and fun to do. According to him, some young lives are lost due to the use of harmful drug substances, as a result of peer pressure and other factors.  He further stated that some families have no idea what their children do outside their homes and hence the need for drug abuse awareness among the young and old. The event was brought to a close with a question-and-answer section.

In commemoration of the international drug-free day, DFWA Nasarawa state visits the Tudun Gwandara community with the NO TO DRUG ABUSE message. The 26th international day celebration headed by Christopher Benjamin Francis along with his team members embarked on a campaign against drug abuse in the Tudun Gwandara community.  The community is a suburb in Lafia local government of Nasarawa state where cannabis Sativa has been overlooked and children are found taking it. The residents call the leaves by a native name “jogalen Loko” which in translation means moringa of Loko. The team members took it upon themselves to explain to the residents of the community the dangers of taking cannabis and its consequences ranging from damaged lungs, livers and to death. Biscuits were shared to the children and cannabis was taken from them, as the kids were taught to take biscuits and not cannabis. The team was so happy for work well done and also appreciated God for the success of the exercise and the safety of all team members.

DFWA Anambra State Chapter hosted a community Hall Talk against Drug Abuse to mark the International Day against drug abuse. The event which took place on the 26th of June 2022 at Nri community village square had HRM Prince Ikenna Onyesoh, and Nwa Ezesinachi Udeagu as guest speakers and hosted by Lady Loretta Akumsinachi DFWA Anambra zonal coordinator. The participants in the event were made to realize that drugs steal the future, drugs dehumanize, and drugs kill eventually. Among the youths, drug abuse is been taken as a norm, young people recently take drugs for different purposes ranging from sports enhancement tools, etc. The hall talk opened the eyes of many youths to the danger they are incurring to themselves as a result of intake of illicit drugs and intake of other harmful substances. The meeting which started at 10 am lasted for hours as the participants enjoyed every bit of the discussion process and lectures on the dangers of drug abuse.

Marking the 2022 international drug-free day celebration, DFWA partners with the Kaduna state government on a one-day road walk against drug abuse in the state. The 25th of June 2022 was a memorable day for the residents of Kaduna state as they witnessed an unusual road walk in the fight against drugs by DFWA Kaduna state with the state government. Present in the exercise were the DG Kaduna State Bureau for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment, Dr. Joseph Maigari, and the DFWA Kaduna State Rep Rev. Lazarus Terna.  Marking International Drug Free Day in Kaduna was an eventful one as members of the team were dressed in T-shirts and polos inscribed `the truth about drugs` and sensitized both the young and old.

DFWA- Cross River State on Friday 24th June 2022 went out on a one-day sensitization event to two schools in the metropolis. Dr. Etta, Hannah DFWA State Representative speaking in the exercise reminded the students of the ills of drug abuse and its dangers. She asked the students to name any drug addict or drug abuser who is celebrated in the world today stating that drug addicts are a problem to society and are never celebrated. Dr. Etta added that the emphasis on the dangers of drug abuse is to help the younger ones make the right choice and never fall prey to drug abusers. The school authorities getting the message and the need for consistency in such a message appreciated DFWA for the sensitization program and requested follow-up visitation and evaluation. A letter of invitation was extended to DFWA by the school to come to preach the drug-free world gospel to other schools in the metropolis as they noted such a message is needed now more than ever. The event ended with a question-and-answer section where issues bothering the students on drugs were tackled and clarity was achieved.

Still, in the spirit of the international day celebration against drug abuse, DFWA also took the NO TO DRUG MESSAGE to students of Waanda International Schools Kaduna. The NO TO DRUG gospel was brought to the students of the school as the need to keep sensitizing students on the dangers of drugs and their abuse cannot be over-emphasized. The sensitization as led by Rev Lazarus Terna DFWA Kaduna state rep talked about the importance of healthy living and drug a treat for good health. Children understanding and appreciating the exercise asked if there are ways to report drug abusers to the organization or government to help curb the abuse. Rev Lazarus appreciated the young stars for such zeal and enthusiasm displayed and sorted for the government helpline for an answer.

Celebrating the international day against drug abuse, DFWA Kaduna visits Jeshurun international school Kaduna in commemoration of the June 23rd event. The NO TO DRUG gospel was brought to the students of the school as the need to keep sensitizing students on the dangers of drugs and their abuse cannot be over-emphasized. DFWA Kaduna state rep, Rev Lazarus Terna speaking to the students told them what international day against drugs means and the need for such occasions. Rev. Terna stated that getting indulged in the use of drugs or other harmful substances has never done any good to any society, individual, or nation at large. “When you look around us today, check the people who are known as drug addicts to see how far they have gone, you will understand that these people have nothing to offer the society than constituting nuisance and creating a problem for the society”. “This is why we always seize every opportunity to tell you younger ones the dangers of drugs because at this age you might see those involved in it as big boys and girls and see yourself as missing out”. “But I want you to know today that reverse is the case, as they are gradually digging their early graves without even knowing,” he said, Students of Jeshurun international school Kaduna asked questions about everything taught by the team members and were given answers accordingly.

On the 21st through the 22nd of June 2022, DFWA Nasarawa state spoke on the LEADERSHIP RETREAT AND INAUGURATION program organized by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN). The team was invited to speak on NO TO DRUG ABUSE as the need for such a message is inevitable at a time like this when drug abuse is on the rise. The Nasarawa state Rep Mr. Christopher Francis who represented the team as a delegate spoke at length to the participants on the dangers of drug abuse. Mr. Francis speaks on the need to abstain from the illegal use of drugs and stated the dangers of drug abuse such as untimely death, mental ill health, and psychological meltdown. The chairman of NYCN, Comr.Jaafar Muhammed Loko, expressing his gratitude to the team members for honouring their invitation, appreciated DFWA for the fight against drug and drug abuse in society. Mr. Jaafar expressed his gratitude for the bold steps taken by the DFWA Nasarawa state chapter to address issues of drug abuse in their communities and at every gathering. He further stated that drug abuser in their communities needs a radical awareness campaign and DFWA is on the right track.