Edo, NDLEA take drug abuse campaign to schools

The Edo State Government, in conjunction with the state command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, on Wednesday urged students to stay away from substance abuse, warning that it can cause memory loss, poor judgment, addiction and mental health disorders.

The warning was delivered to students of Niger College, Benin City, by the NDLEA State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Andrew Efe, during an anti-drug awareness campaign.

The outreach was held ahead of the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed globally on June 26, under the United Nations theme: “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.”

Using simple analogies, Ofoyeju told the senior secondary school students, “Your brain is like your phone’s processor. Drugs are the virus.

They cause memory loss, poor judgment, addiction, and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

“Your brain is still developing until about age 25. If you damage it now with drugs, your WAEC, NECO and university dreams may become difficult to achieve.”

Ofoyeju outlined three consequences of drug abuse: damage to vital organs such as the lungs, heart, kidneys and liver; expulsion from school and imprisonment for drug-related offences; and the deceptive tactics used to lure young people into substance abuse.

The commander also taught the students the “Five Ds” for resisting drugs: Delay, Deflect, Decline, Distance and Disclose.

He assured them that the NDLEA’s telephone counselling and treatment service is free, confidential and non-judgmental, and can be accessed through the toll-free line 0800-10203040.

Ofoyeju engaged the students with direct questions on commonly abused substances such as Colos (Colorado), Mkpuru Mmiri (Ice), codeine syrup, tramadol and Rohypnol.

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The session ended with more than 300 students standing and chanting, “My Life, My Future, No Drugs.”

Speaking at the event, Efe reinforced the Governor Monday Okpebholo administration’s zero-tolerance stance on drug trafficking and substance abuse in Edo State.

“Let me speak to you as a father and as a government official. One wrong decision you make in SS2 can jeopardise your SS3 results and university admission.

“Tramadol and codeine dull the mind. The only ‘high’ that lasts is the high of passing your exams and making your parents proud,” he said.

Efe urged the students to see themselves as “future leaders of Edo State” and to report anyone offering them drugs in school or through social media.

He also pledged the state government’s continued partnership with the NDLEA on youth empowerment and school-based drug prevention programmes.

The Principal of Niger College, Dr Godwin Idemudia, commended the NDLEA and the state government for bringing the campaign to the school.

“This talk came at the right time. Our students need to hear the truth about Colos and Mkpuru Mmiri before traffickers reach them,” he said.

The NDLEA Edo command also reaffirmed its commitment to taking the anti-drug campaign to all 18 local government areas, churches, mosques and motor parks across the state in 2026.