The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and Natioanl Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) are partnering to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse amongst secondary school students in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In furtherance of this, the NDLEA, Bonny Area Command, in collaboration with the NYSC and NAFDAC War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Community Development Service group, on Thursday, January 22, 2026 conducted a drug abuse sensitisation programme for students of Ibitamuno Secondary School in Bonny, Rivers State.
The programme, which had the theme: “The Influence of Social Media and Parental Upbringing on Drug Abuse and its Consequences”, had a total of 276 students, comprising 114 male and 162 female students, participate in the sessions.
Delivering the keynote paper, the resource person, Christopher Agboje, an Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics (ASN II), highlighted how social media exposure and family upbringing significantly shape young people’s attitudes and decisions regarding substance use.
He explained that social media platforms often portray drug use in a glamorous or harmless light, making it attractive to young people, warning that peer pressure and easy access to drug-related content online have increased the risk of substance abuse among youths.
The keynote speaker further stressed the critical role parents play in preventing drug abuse, noting that parental guidance, supervision, and healthy family relationships can influence children’s choices and help them resist negative influences.
Students were also educated on the consequences of drug abuse, including health complications, addiction, academic decline, social problems, and potential legal and financial troubles.
Interactive discussions followed the lecture, with students and teachers examining ways social media content could be better regulated, how parents can help prevent drug abuse, and how early signs of substance abuse can be identified and addressed.
Organisers described the programme as part of ongoing efforts to educate young people on the dangers of drug abuse and promote healthier lifestyle choices among students in Bonny and surrounding communities.