Come Alive Initiative, an NGO, says it is collaborating with Anambra Traditional Rulers and Onitsha Ado Youth Council to steer Nigerian youths away from vices, especially drug trafficking and abuse.

The NGO also said that the Onitsha North and South Local Government Councils were supporting the campaign.

The NGO’s National Coordinator, Mr. Victor Enwezor, said on Wednesday in Lagos that the collaboration would provide a platform for anti-drug war from the grassroots.

According to him, the maiden campaign kicked off at Onitsha, Anambra, during the students’ long vacation classes organised by the National Association of Onitsha Ado Students (NAOS).

Enwezor said the holiday coaching classes created an opportunity for the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, to advise the youth on the evils of hard drugs use and trafficking.

The annual long vacation classes of NAOS in conjunction with Come Alive Initiative also afforded the local government councils the opportunity to check the increasing activities of deviants in their areas.

He said the essence of the sensitisation was to highlight to the youth the Anambra State Government’s zero tolerance for criminals.

Enwezor also said that the first phase of the campaign focused on direct engagement with students, motivating them to dream big and be hardworking to achieve their desired aspirations.

To him, the NGO’s aggressive campaign followed the sustained loss and waste of the nation’s human capital to hard drugs and trafficking.

“As an NGO, we have chosen the path of awareness campaign to tackle drug abuse and trafficking among youths.

“Our commitment to sensitise them on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking stemmed from the fact that it remains the leading cause of criminal activities and violence among youths.

“We also decided to sensitise Nigerian youths on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking through a knowledge-based drive.”

He said the collaboration aimed at carrying every stakeholder, especially governments, traditional institutions, churches, mosques, students and teachers along in the campaign.

He added that the parties to the campaign had formed students’ anti-drug abuse clubs which would be replicated in the near future in the other geopolitical zones.

The coordinator said that youths remained the focus of Come Alive Initiative with emphasis on catch-them-young and using them as foot-soldiers in the campaign against drug abuse and trafficking.

Meanwhile, the Come Alive Initiative has commenced the rehabilitation of the victims of drug abuse.

The rehabilitation of drug victims, Enwezor said, was in conjunction with the Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry (CADAM) of Redeemed Christian Church of God.

“We also have the support of Messrs. Douglas Egbuna and Achebe Egbuna, Chairmen of the Ontisha North and South Local Government Areas respectively and the Obi of Onitsha on the project.

“CADAM has also agreed to provide facilities for the rehabilitation of drug victims.”

Come Alive Initiative is a Lagos-based NGO that focuses on sensitisation and mobilisation of Nigerian youths against the use and trafficking of hard drugs. (NAN)

•Photo shows Gov. Obiano