Imo Students Get Drug Abuse Warning from Joint NDA, NDLEA, Navy Campaign

The Nsokpo Dynamic Association (NDA), collaborating with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Navy, recently conducted an awareness campaign for students at Presentation Secondary School in Ogbaku, Owerri, Imo State. The initiative, held on Tuesday, focused on educating young people about the severe risks associated with drug abuse and also provided guidance on career development.

According to a statement released by the association, the event was strategically timed to coincide with the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, an observance held globally every June 26th. The 2026 edition of this significant day was themed ‘Say Yes to Life. Say No to Drugs – It Kills.’ The sensitization brought together various stakeholders, including community leaders, law enforcement officers, medical experts, and educators, all united in delivering a crucial message to Imo State's youth: the choices they make today will shape their future lives.

Mr. Mark Onyejiaka, President of the Nsokpo Dynamic Association, highlighted the critical challenge posed by the drug crisis among Nigerian youth. He commended the partnership between the NDA and the NDLEA, describing it as an exemplary model of community-driven action against substance abuse. Onyejiaka stated, “Drugs do not merely destroy health – they shatter dreams, tear apart families, and steal futures that were meant to shine. We are here because we believe in the limitless potential of every young person in this hall.”

During the programme, officers from the NDLEA delivered a comprehensive presentation detailing the dangers of drug abuse and illicit trafficking. Their session incorporated real-life case studies and up-to-date national statistics to illustrate the devastating consequences faced by young Nigerians who succumb to substance abuse. Complementing this, medical professionals from the Nigerian Navy offered an in-depth analysis of the health implications of drug use, covering both the immediate and long-term effects on adolescents' developing minds and bodies.

A major highlight of the day was a career talk delivered by Dr. Chika Umunnakwe, titled, “Dreaming Big for the Future: Why the Choices You Make Today Matter.” This session aimed to inspire students towards pursuing purposeful careers and to understand that a single poor decision, such as involvement in drug use or trafficking, could permanently close off opportunities carefully built through years of dedicated study and sacrifice.

The students demonstrated significant enthusiasm, actively participating in robust question-and-answer sessions that followed both the NDLEA presentation and the career guidance talk. This engagement underscored a clear desire among the young attendees for honest, factual discussions regarding the risks they encounter and the prosperous futures they aspire to build, as noted in the association's statement.

Reverend Father Joachim Onyeagam, the Principal of Presentation Secondary School, extended his appreciation to the NDA and its partners for selecting Ogbaku as a focal point for this vital national initiative. The Nsokpo Dynamic Association reaffirmed its dedication to the well-being of the Ogbaku community and announced plans to expand the programme to additional schools within the Mbaitoli Local Government Area, reinforcing its long-term objective of fostering a drug-free generation across Imo State.

Concluding the event, Mr. Onyejiaka reiterated his message to the students: “Your future is brilliant. Your potential is limitless. Together, we declare: Yes to Life. No to Drugs.”