Nigerian school children have been strongly advised to stay away from drugs and cultism to secure a bright future. This warning was given on Wednesday during the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, organized by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) in Ikeja.

The event, themed ‘The Evidence is Clear, Invest in Prevention’, featured various speakers who emphasized the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of prevention. Commander Mallum Musa, in charge of media and advocacy at the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos Command, urged the children to avoid drugs and peer pressure, stressing that illicit drugs fuel crime and destroy ambitions.

State Police Command spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin also admonished the children not to experiment with drugs. “The moment you take drugs, you are no longer in control of your faculties,” he warned, further advising against involvement in crime, drug abuse, and cultism. Hundeyin reminded the audience that young offenders would face juvenile courts and homes.

Daniel Osita Collins, Chief Executive Officer of the Jesus Care Reformation Centre for Drug Abuse and Misuse, called on all Nigerians to assist in rescuing the younger generation by reporting crimes to the police. He emphasized the need to discourage drug promotion in music, movies, and clubs and expressed concern that children often look up to musicians as role models.

CRAN President Lekan Olabulo, in his welcome address, urged the NDLEA and other security agencies to engage in public sensitization in schools and communities to combat drug abuse. “As members of the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria, we have taken it as our modest support and contribution to society to fight crimes through our sensitization of students and other members of the public on drug abuse,” he stated.

The event highlighted the collective responsibility of the community, parents, and authorities in tackling the menace of drug abuse among Nigerian youth.