NACAT sensitises Abuja SHS students on dangers of substance abuse

The Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT) has intensified its campaign against substance abuse by educating more than 300 students of Government Secondary School, Lugbe, Abuja, on the dangers of illicit drug use.

The sensitisation programme, held on Friday, formed part of activities marking the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and underscored NACAT's commitment to promoting preventive education among young people across the Federal Capital Territory.

Addressing the students during an interactive session, NACAT's Operations Manager, Stanley Ugagbe, described substance abuse as a growing social menace that continues to destroy the lives, aspirations, and future of many young people.

He explained that substance abuse goes beyond the use of hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin, noting that it also includes the misuse of prescription medicines, codeine based cough syrups, tramadol, and other controlled substances.

According to him, many young people are introduced to drugs through curiosity and peer influence without fully appreciating the long-term consequences of their actions.

Ugagbe warned that drug abuse can result in poor academic performance, mental health disorders, behavioural problems, criminal activity, addiction, and in severe cases, irreversible damage to the brain and other vital organs.

"Drugs do not just destroy bodies; they distort destinies," he told the students, urging them to remain committed to their education and reject any temptation that could jeopardise their future.

He identified peer pressure as one of the leading causes of substance abuse among adolescents, explaining that many students are persuaded by friends to experiment with drugs under the false impression that they enhance confidence, social acceptance, or academic performance.

He encouraged the students to build the confidence to resist negative influences, choose friends carefully, avoid environments where drugs are abused, and seek support from parents, teachers, and guidance counsellors whenever they encounter challenges.

Ugagbe reminded the students that their future ambitions were too important to be sacrificed for temporary gratification, stressing that discipline, self-confidence, and positive relationships remain the strongest safeguards against substance abuse.

Earlier, NACAT's Programme Manager, Joy Tomo, used practical demonstrations and real-life examples to illustrate the devastating impact of drug addiction on individuals and families.

She highlighted the far-reaching social, economic, and health consequences of substance abuse, noting that its effects extend beyond users to their families and society as a whole.

Tomo urged the students to become advocates against drug abuse by educating their peers on its dangers and encouraging one another to adopt responsible and healthy lifestyles.

The programme featured active participation from the students, who asked questions and pledged to remain drug-free while serving as ambassadors of the anti-drug campaign within their school and communities.

NACAT reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining awareness campaigns in schools and communities as part of broader efforts to reduce substance abuse and promote a healthier, safer, and more productive generation of Nigerian youth.