Imo community partners NDLEA, Navy in fight against drug abuse

The Nsokpo Dynamic Association of Imo State, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and Nigerian Navy, has held a drug awareness and career talk for students of Presentation Secondary School, Ogbaku, Owerri.

The programme, held on Tuesday, ahead of the June 26 World Drug Day, was themed “Say Yes to Life. Say No to Drugs – It Kills.” It brought together community leaders, health workers and security officials to speak with students about the dangers of drug use.

Speaking at the event, Nsokpo Dynamic Association President, Mark Onyejiaka, said the programme was necessary to guide young people.

“This is not an ordinary gathering. Drugs destroy dreams, break families and ruin futures. We believe in every young person here,” he said.

He reaffirmed NDA’s plans to take the programme to more schools in the Mbaitoli LGA.

“Your future is bright. Your potential is limitless. Together, we declare: Yes, to life. No to drugs,” Onyejiaka added.

NDLEA officials explained how drug abuse and trafficking affect young people, using real-life examples as a case study and current data to show the serious dangers of drug abuse among young Nigerians.

Medical personnel from the Navy also gave an in-depth examination of the effects of drug usage on the developing mind and body, on how drugs damage the body and mind.

A study titled “Epidemiology & Public Health Research,” conducted by Clement Umma in 2025, revealed that among 732 adolescents in Imo State, 34.2 per cent reported having consumed alcohol at some point, 23.5 per cent reported having used tramadol, and 17.2 per cent reported having used cannabis/marijuana.

A career talk by D. Chika Umunnakwe, titled “Dreaming Big for the Future: Why the Choices You Make Today Matter”, encouraged students to stay focused, warning that one wrong decision, involving drug usage and trafficking, could permanently spoil years of hard work.

Students took part actively during the session by asking questions and getting responses to their questions.

The school principal, Rev. Fr. Joachim Onyeagam, thanked the organisers of the programme for bringing the programme to the school.

The Nsokpo Dynamic Association is a community development organisation representing the interests and advancement of the Nsokpo Ogbaku community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Imo State.