In a bid to curb drug abuse among Nigerian youths, the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) has sensitised public secondary school students in the Ajegunle-Ajeromi area of Lagos on the dangers of illicit drug use.
The event, held in commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025, carried the theme “The Evidence is Clear, Invest in Prevention.”
Students were cautioned against the use of banned substances such as marijuana and cocaine, with a reminder that offenders risk a 20-year jail term upon conviction.
Speaking at the sensitisation programme, held on Thursday at Bola Ige Millennium Secondary School Hall, Tolu Complex, Ajegunle, CRAN President, Mr. Olalekan Olabulo, delivered a welcome address. He said,“I want to begin by saying congratulations to you. Drug abuse is not peculiar to Nigeria. But because of what is happening in Nigeria, we have to take it on our part and fight within our environment.”
Olabulo urged students to share what they learned with others.
“When you go out from here, tell people what you will learn today. Because I know you will learn a lot here. When you go out, what you learn here, practice it and encourage that. 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 drug abuse, tomorrow there will be a big problem.”
He stressed the need for increased advocacy and sensitisation efforts by government agencies, noting that CRAN has been engaging in school outreach for over four years.
“I want to believe all of you are Gen Z but we are luckier than you people, because when some of us were growing up, we only heard of marijuana, cocaine, and all sorts of things. We have carefully chosen people to speak to you, to orientate you on what you can do to be free from drug abuse. I want to believe that at the end of today, all of you would have been inducted into the fight against drug abuse,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Deputy Commander of Narcotics (DCN), Garba Abubakar of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), educated the students on what constitutes drug abuse.
He listed banned substances such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana, advising youths to avoid them.
He also clarified the difference between illicit drugs and medically approved substances like Paracetamol, warning that misuse—even of socially acceptable substances—could lead to health complications.
“Anyone that are using any of these substances, you should know that you are damaging your organs and your blood is not strong, you end up being on the street as a man.
“It’s very deadly and it’s very dangerous, and very difficult to withdraw when you start.”
Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni, Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Writers Association (SWAN), also addressed the students.
She advised them to adopt good eating habits and emphasised the link between nutrition and physical fitness.
“Watch how you eat, what you eat, what you consume. Make sure it is nutritious, hygienic and proper.”
She warned that careless consumption of edibles could cost a sportsperson their career if they fail a doping test.
“Edibles can either make or mar one’s career if he fails a doping test, usually carried out on sport professionals to avoid cheating, justice and equality in sporting competitions.”
