As part of activities marking the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT) on Friday intensified its advocacy against substance abuse with a sensitisation programme at Government Secondary School, Lugbe, Abuja, where over 300 students were educated on the devastating consequences of drug abuse.

The awareness campaign formed part of NACAT’s sustained efforts to discourage drug use among young people and promote healthy lifestyles through preventive education in schools across the Federal Capital Territory.

Addressing the students during the interactive session, NACAT’s Operations Manager, Stanley Ugagbe, described substance abuse as a growing social menace that continues to destroy the dreams and future of countless young people.

He explained that drug abuse is not limited to the consumption of hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin but also includes the misuse of prescription medications, cough syrups containing codeine, tramadol and other controlled substances.

According to him, many young people are lured into substance abuse through experimentation and peer influence, often without fully understanding the lifelong consequences of their actions.

Ugagbe cautioned that the abuse of drugs can lead to poor academic performance, mental health disorders, behavioural problems, criminal activities, addiction and, in severe cases, permanent damage to the brain and other vital organs.

“Drugs do not just destroy bodies; they distort destinies,” he told the students, urging them to remain focused on their education and refuse every form of temptation that could derail their future.

He further identified peer pressure as one of the biggest factors driving substance abuse among adolescents, noting that many students are persuaded by friends to experiment with drugs under the false belief that it improves confidence, social acceptance or academic performance.

Ugagbe encouraged the students to develop the confidence to reject negative influences, choose their friends wisely, avoid environments where drugs are abused, and seek guidance from parents, teachers and counsellors whenever they face difficult situations.

He reminded the students that their future ambitions were too valuable to be sacrificed for temporary pleasure, stressing that discipline, self-confidence and positive associations remain the strongest defence against substance abuse.

Earlier, NACAT’s Programme Manager, Joy Tomo, engaged the students with practical illustrations and real-life stories of individuals whose lives, education, careers and family relationships were ruined by drug addiction.

She emphasised that substance abuse has devastating social, economic and health consequences, not only for users but also for their families and the wider society.

Tomo called on the students to become advocates of positive values by educating their peers on the dangers of drug abuse and encouraging one another to embrace responsible lifestyles.

The sensitisation programme witnessed active participation from the students, who asked questions and pledged to remain drug-free while serving as ambassadors of the anti-drug campaign within their school and communities.

NACAT reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining awareness programmes in schools and communities as part of efforts to curb substance abuse and build a healthier, safer and more productive generation of Nigerian youths.

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