News

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.

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.

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.

Drug Free World Africa has taken their campaign against drug abuse to secondary schools in Imo State. The campaign which is tagged ‘Reach Kids Before Drugs Do’ is designed to sensitize school children on the dangers of all forms of drug abuse. Dr. Lina Okereke who led the campaign for DFWA said that most drug addicts started at a very ten-der age and it is important to start the sensitization at that level. Dr. Okereke who is also the Special Adviser on Health Matters to Imo State Governor, said that drug abuse no longer has age boundaries, adding that if nothing is done to sensitize the students on the looming dangers, they might be lost to drugs forever. “We have already tagged it Reach Kids Before Drugs Do. It is a practical campaign to teach them the truth about drug abuse” “Drug Free World Africa is complementing the efforts of other stakeholders in this sector and this is to mark the Children Mental Health Week in Imo State”, she said. The schools visited include Holy Ghost College Owerri; Amaini High School Ihitte Uboma; Communi-ty Secondary School Orogwe, and Government College Owerri.

Drug Free World Africa Nasarawa State chapter has held a sensitization exercise against drug abuse amongst youths. The sensitization which took place at youth centers around the state was held on the 27th of February 2022 to enlighten youths on the dangers of drugs and their abuse on individuals and society at large. The representative of Drug Free World Africa in Nasarawa State, Mr. Christopher Francis encouraged the youths to flee from illegal consumption of drugs and other harmful substances for their betterment and that of the society at large. He sensitized them on the numerous benefits of living a drug-free life and hammered on the unending dangers on the other side which includes death. “There is no gain in the consumption of harmful substances or abuse of drugs, before you yield to peer pressure or environment, think about your future, your parents, and the generations that will come after you. “ask yourself, If I do this now, how will it better my life, that of my generation and society at large” “Drug abuse is a thorn to the flesh, therefore run away from it” he stated, He also enlightened the youths in all the centers visited about DFWA and their campaigns against drug abuse. Questions were asked by participants about drugs and their abuse which the team provided answers to. The success of the program was capped with the youths showing appreciation to DWFA for their investment in youth development.

Drug free world Africa Nasarawa state team members paid a courtesy visit to NBS Lafia. The visit which was to intimate the role of the media with other bodies in fighting drug abuse, was led by the Nasarawa state rep of Dwfa, Mr.Christopher Francis. Mr. Francis appreciated the media for their efforts so far in the fight against drug abuse and also stated the need for more collaboration. “The efforts of the media in the eradication of drug abuse in our country today cannot be overemphasized, but we still plead for more of it as the media is a vital tool to achieve this purpose”. The general manager of the station Mr. Aloko Flashman who appreciated the team on their visit also assured them that the media will keep playing its role in the fight against drug abuse. The visit was a welcome development as the media and other bodies fighting drug abuse should work hand in glove to achieve their sole aim.

With Imo State ranking high among the states affected by the abuse of drugs and illicit substances in Nigeria, Drug Free World Africa has held a campaign to curb the menace. The campaign is aimed cutting both the demand and supply of the abused substances according to Dr. Lina Okereke who led the campaign organized by Drug Free World Africa. Dr. Okereke who is the Special Adviser on Health Matters to Imo State Governor is also the Coordinator of Drug Free World Africa, an intercontinental Africa organization with presence in more than five African countries. Speaking in Owerri during the campaign which saw students and teachers from primary, secondary and tertiary institutions match round the city of Owerri, Dr. Lina Okereke said that lack of information has been the major barrier in the fight against drug abuse. She said that the campaign is both preventive and corrective measures aimed at saving the lives of Imo youths from the devastating effects of drug abuse. Dr. Lina Okereke highlighted that the only way young people especially, can desist from this act is when they have the right information, adding that having children, youths and adults from all levels of education means they have captured all age brackets of youths in the state who are potential victims of drug abuse. Speaking during the campaign, Rev. Fr. Dr. Gerald Njoku said that stress, peer pressure are some of the causes of drug abuse. Rev. Fr. Dr. Gerald Njoku called for the establishment of counseling centers and awareness units in every community. He also called on more organizations to emulate and support Drug Free World Africa, appreciating the efforts of Dr. Lina Okereke in leading the campaign. Director General of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Mr. Apeh Reuben, who was represented by Dr. Chinyere Aguocha said that drug Abuse is detrimental to the growth and development of Nigeria often encouraging mental disorder, armed robbery, rape, and other social vices. In a chat with OtownGist, the President of Drug Free World Africa, Engr. Chinagorom Nkaru said that the entire team is working round the clock to achieve a drug free Africa. She said that drug abuse has caused more havoc in Africa than it used to, calling individuals and groups around the world to come together to save the situation. “What we are doing is to empower youths and adults with factual information on “Truth About drugs” “”We create campaign activities and projects that engage youths and make them proud ambassadors of the fight against drug abuse. So far, we have held similar event in several states in Nigeria and we’ll keep expanding across African countries”, Engr. Chinagorom Nkaru added. The campaign which took place on Wednesday January 26, 2022 also had the Universal Basic Development Center (UBDc) and members of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA present. Other organizations present are Pharmaceutical Society of Nigerian, MedImo health volunteers, Imo Beauty Queens, NYSC members, Youth Organizations, National Leaders of Nigerian Patriotic Citizens for Democracy & Attitudinal Change (NIPACDAC), and other stakeholders in the fight against abuse of drugs and illicit substances.

Ahead of a (X2) 2000-man match against drug abuse in Nasarawa State, Drug Free World Africa has made connections with stake holders in the fight against drug abuse. According to Christopher Francis the DFWA representative in Nasarawa State, the 2000-man match against drug abuse in Nasarawa State cannot be achieved by one organization and it is the main reason for the visit to various stakeholders. Christopher Francis said that by making the campaign a collective effort means it is possible to reach all corners of the state after the match. The DFWA team visited Nasarawa State Director of National Orientation Agency and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency who are key agencies in the fight against drug abuse in the state. The team also parleyed with Nasarawa State law enforcement agencies with a visit to the office of the state Commissioner of Police as well as Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS). Mr. Christopher Francis led team also visited the state General Manager of the National Television Authority seeking for the media outfit to help in providing media coverage for Drug Free World Africa activities.