In a strategic move to combat the rising tide of drug abuse among Nigerian youths, the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) has taken its anti-drug campaign to public secondary schools in Ajegunle, Lagos. The sensitisation outreach, held at the Bola Ige Millennium Secondary School Hall in Tolu Complex, marked CRAN’s participation in the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, themed “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.”
Addressing students at the event, CRAN President, Mr. Olalekan Olabulo, underscored the urgency of grassroots prevention efforts amid growing substance abuse trends among young Nigerians.
“Drug abuse is a global issue, but in Nigeria, we must take responsibility within our environment. When you leave here, share what you’ve learned. Practise it, preach it. That way, you’re not just helping others—you’re safeguarding your own future,” Olabulo said.
He emphasised that CRAN has sustained school-based outreach programmes for over four years, engaging youths with credible information and prevention strategies. Olabulo noted that while older generations primarily encountered substances like marijuana and cocaine, the current generation faces even more dangerous synthetic drugs, requiring intensified awareness efforts.
Delivering a keynote presentation, Deputy Commander of Narcotics (DCN) Garba Abubakar of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) educated students on the health risks of illicit drug use. He identified banned substances including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana, while also warning against the misuse of legally available medications such as Paracetamol.
“Misuse of drugs, whether illegal or commonly accepted, damages internal organs and weakens your system. Continued use can lead to addiction, homelessness, and lifelong health consequences,” Abubakar cautioned.
Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni, Chairperson of the Lagos State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), spoke on the link between nutrition, wellness, and athletic performance. She advised students to be conscious of their dietary habits, noting that contaminated or unverified edibles could jeopardise a sportsperson’s career.
“Nutrition is critical, especially for those aspiring to careers in sports. Doping tests are mandatory in professional competitions, and what you consume can either protect or destroy your prospects,” she said.
The event highlighted the shared responsibility of media, law enforcement, and civil society in addressing drug abuse through early education, community engagement, and sustained advocacy.
CRAN’s intervention adds to national efforts to prevent substance use among youths—a demographic increasingly vulnerable to the influence of synthetic drugs and peer pressure.