The warning was given during the state government’s Drug-Free Delta Campaign sensitisation programme organised in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The campaign urged students to be careful about what they consume, avoid suspicious food and drinks, and resist individuals who might introduce them to illicit substances under the guise of friendship or social enjoyment.
Addressing the students, the Director-General of the State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr Latimore Oghenesivbe, warned against illicit substances, negative peer pressure and the dangers of consuming drug-laced cakes and drinks.
He said the campaign was aimed at combating substance abuse through preventive education, public enlightenment and engagement with young people.
According to him, substance abuse could impair brain function and judgement, trigger hallucinations, cause addiction and negatively affect academic performance.
Oghenesivbe said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was concerned about the wellbeing of young people and committed to protecting them from the dangers of substance abuse.
He added that the governor recognised that drug abuse could destroy promising lives, undermine academic achievements and frustrate the aspirations of young people.
“I am here to deliver the Governor’s message to you. He wants you to have a bright future, and he understands that drug abuse can stand in the way of achieving your dreams. That is why we have brought experts from the NDLEA to educate you on the dangers and consequences of substance abuse,” he said.
He explained that the state government’s strategy extended beyond law enforcement to include preventive education, awareness campaigns and collaboration with relevant agencies.
According to him, the partnership with the NDLEA was intended to equip students with the knowledge required to make informed decisions and avoid practices that could jeopardise their health and future.
Speaking on behalf of the NDLEA, Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics, Mr Ojobo Augustine, educated the students on the meaning, categories and effects of drugs, distinguishing between substances with legitimate medical applications and illicit drugs whose misuse could result in serious physical, psychological and behavioural complications.
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During a practical demonstration, the NDLEA official displayed drug-testing kits, explaining that they could detect several categories of drugs through urine samples within minutes.
He commended the Delta State Government for providing the kits to support drug screening and strengthen preventive measures towards achieving a drug-free society.
Ojobo further warned that substance abuse could derail students’ educational and professional ambitions, noting that some young people had suffered academic setbacks after experimenting with illicit drugs.
With many students preparing to graduate and enter the labour market, he urged them not to sacrifice their future opportunities for temporary pleasure.
He also pointed out that drug screening had become an important component of recruitment processes in several organisations.
The NDLEA official encouraged students to speak out against substance abuse, seek professional assistance when necessary and support friends struggling with drug dependency by directing them towards appropriate help.
The sensitisation programme featured an interactive question-and-answer session during which students sought clarification on drug abuse, prevention, the identification of suspicious substances and the consequences of substance misuse.
Participants were also encouraged to become ambassadors of the Drug-Free Delta Campaign by sharing the knowledge acquired with their peers, families and communities.
The programme ended with an anti-drug chant and the introduction of the NDLEA toll-free telephone line, 080010203040, for reporting suspicious activities involving the use, sale or transportation of illicit drugs.
The campaign underscores the Oborevwori administration’s commitment to safeguarding the health, safety and future of Delta youths through sustained collaboration with the NDLEA, educational institutions and other stakeholders.
It also highlights the need for collective action involving government, parents, schools, communities and young people to tackle substance abuse and build a drug-free society.
