By Omonigho Okotie,
The Drug-Free Delta Campaign has been reaffirmed as a critical movement for change, urging all stakeholders to actively promote education, prevention, and rehabilitation in the fight against drug abuse.
This emphasis was made by the Director-General of the Delta Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, during a live radio program, "Orientation Panorama," on Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS) on Wednesday, February 25, 2025.
Represented by the Director of Orientation, Mrs. Gertrude Onyekachukwu-Uteh, Dr. Oghenesivbe stated that the campaign was essential in sensitizing Deltans, especially secondary school students, on the dangers of drug abuse.
The DG pointed out that the sensitization team interfaced with 34 secondary schools across the three senatorial districts of the state in the First phase, with the aim to uncover the challenges and misconceptions about drug abuse and to equip students with the knowledge and tools to make informed choices and decisions so as to protect themselves from the menace. He observed that the atmosphere in the schools visited was welcoming. "The initiative is informative, expository and educative for the students, teachers as well as their principals. "The sensitization campaign is a turning point for us.," Some said. The messages learnt will guide us through life. "Initially, some students were a bit skeptical about the topic. But overall, I was encouraged by their willingness to engage in the interaction. "We shared real-life stories with them and addressed their concerns directly. You could see them displaying their knowledge of some of these drugs, which I didn't know. Many were genuinely interested in learning more," he narrated. He explained that illicit drugs do not increase one's ability to do work based on its negative consequences as kidney failure, liver malfunction, insanity, crimes, jail term among other deviant behaviour. He charged parents, teachers, faith- based organisations and traditional rulers to collectively in their respective fields caution their children wards and subjects of the dangers drug abuse posed to their health, education, and future opportunities. While commending the Governor for his political and financial support, he explained that the state government through the Bureau partnered with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA.) He said interactive sessions proved very effective while engaging the students. In his word, "Role-playing scenarios helped them to navigate the challenges of peer pressure, and graphic examples of the consequences of hard drugs had a profound impact on them. "The interactive sessions were definitely key. Nothing hits home like hearing firsthand about the devastating impact of drug addiction on youths," he reiterated. "Notable among the life experiences shared was the pathetic story of a young graduate who was disqualifief and denied a Canadian Visa to study abroad on scholarship because he tested positive to drugs, unknown to him that the cake he ate at a friend's birthday party a month ago was laced with hard drugs," he lamented. He said as disclosed by the NDLEA , hard drug remains in the blood steam of a user between 30 to 90 days, warming that if the state government adopted in the Drug Integrity Test for new entrants into higher institutions in the state, the status of so many students would be exposed and taken to rehabilitation centres. He advised them to choose their friends wisely in order not to become victims of rape and other related offences, stating how NDLEA Officers rescued a group of young girls who were to be raped because the cake and drinks served at the party they attended were heavily laced with drugs. "Beyond the dangers of drugs, the campaign also promoted positive messages and alternatives. They emphasized the importance of goal-setting, pursuing dreams, and finding healthy outlets. "Students were encouraged to seek help from trusted adults and explore activities that provide a sense of purpose and belonging, especially participating in the newly inaugurated War Against Drug Abuse Club (WADA)," he added. He enjoined all Deltans to report cases of the use of illicit drugs to NDLEA through its toll free line- 080010203040.
