In a sustained effort to combat drug abuse among Nigerian youths, the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) has taken its campaign to secondary school students in the Ajegunle-Ajeromi area of Lagos, educating them on the dangers of illicit substance use.
The sensitisation programme was held on Thursday at the Bola Ige Millennium Secondary School Hall, Tolu Complex, Ajegunle, in commemoration of the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This year’s theme was “The Evidence is Clear, Invest in Prevention.”
Addressing the students, CRAN President, Olalekan Olabulo, congratulated them for participating in the event and reminded them of the rising threat of drug abuse among the youth. He encouraged them to act as peer educators by sharing what they had learned.
“When you go out from here, tell people what you will learn today,” he said. “You will be saving people, and you will be saving your future. If you don’t tell your friend what drug abuse is, and some of them get into it, tomorrow there will be a big problem.”
He explained that CRAN had been conducting such school outreaches for over four years and called on more government agencies to intensify advocacy efforts. He told the students that despite their exposure to a broader range of drugs, they still had the opportunity to choose the right path.
Also speaking at the event, Deputy Commander of Narcotics (DCN) Garba Abubakar of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) outlined several banned substances, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana. He warned that abusing drugs could lead to serious health complications, addiction, and social decline.
“Anyone using these substances is damaging their organs,” he said. “Your blood is not strong. You end up being on the street as a man. It’s very deadly and very difficult to withdraw when you start.”
Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Writers Association (SWAN), Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni, also addressed the students. She highlighted the role of nutrition in physical and mental wellness and cautioned that indiscriminate consumption of edibles could negatively affect a sports career.
“Watch what you eat. Make sure it is nutritious, hygienic, and proper,” she said. “Edibles can either make or mar one’s career if they fail a doping test. Such tests are carried out to ensure fairness in sports.”
The sensitisation event reinforced the importance of early education in preventing drug abuse and encouraged young people to stay informed and make positive choices for a healthier future.