The “Drug Free Delta” campaign team, led by Director-General Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), continued its sensitization activities on Day 7, visiting Mein Secondary School Kiagbodo (Burutu L.G.A), Aven Secondary School Aven (Patani L.G.A), and Government Model Secondary School Patani (Patani L.G.A).
Dr. Oghenesivbe, the Director-General, initiated the sessions by emphasizing the importance of education and focus. “When you have a goal, be focused on achieving it,” he advised. “I have several degrees in addition to my law degree, including master’s degrees, because I avoided drug involvement. I remember a girl in my secondary school who initially had very little; today, she is an executive at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. This illustrates the potential of education and the importance of choosing friends who encourage academic excellence.”
Dr. Oghenesivbe further underscored the purpose of the team’s visit, conveying the Governor’s deep concern for the well-being of the students and his desire for them to remain drug-free. “This message comes directly from His Excellency, Dr. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, the Governor of Delta State, through the State Orientation and Communications Bureau (SOCB) and the NDLEA. He wants each and every one of you to understand the dangers of drug use,” Dr. Oghenesivbe stated. He also rewarded several students with cash gifts for their insightful responses to questions.
To demonstrate their understanding of the effects of drug use, students performed skits mimicking the behavior of individuals under the influence of substances such as “colos” and cannabis sativa, providing both educational value and comic relief.
Mr. Silas Omobhude, Assistant State Commander of the NDLEA, engaged students in an interactive session. He began by assessing their knowledge of various types of drugs, highlighting the potential for abuse even with legal substances. He then strongly urged them to avoid all illicit substances.
Mr. Omobhude also cautioned students about the risk of unknowingly consuming drugs. “There are four stages of drug abuse: experimentation, occasional use, regular use, and dependency, which is addiction. At the addiction stage, individuals feel they cannot function without drugs, and counseling and rehabilitation are often the only paths to recovery. Do not experiment with these drugs, thinking it’s ‘just for social parties.'”
Mr. Sani Jaafar Bebeji, Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics at the NDLEA, emphasized the physical dangers of drug use. “These hard drugs can damage your brain and central nervous system (CNS). Has anyone ever seen someone give their brain to another person? Would you want to give your brain to a friend if they damaged theirs? Many cases of supposed insanity are actually caused by hard drugs,” he stated.
Echoing Dr. Oghenesivbe’s point about choosing the right company, Mr. Bebeji added, “It is crucial to surround yourself with positive influences, as being around someone using drugs can be dangerous. While you might think your parents or teachers won’t know, a urine sample can reveal the presence of eleven illicit drugs within just three minutes. While test kits allow for quick detection, drug abuse and addiction are ultimately avoidable.”
He illustrated the risk of unwitting exposure with a cautionary tale. “We tested an individual at the request of a scholarship organization. Although he didn’t believe he was a drug user, he tested positive for several substances. Upon investigation, it was revealed that he had attended a social event two months prior where the cake had unknowingly been laced with drugs.”
Addressing a common misconception, Mr. Omobhude emphasized, “You do not need drugs to gain strength. The strength you naturally possess is more than sufficient for your academic work and other physical activities.”
The principals of Mein Secondary School Kiagbodo (Burutu L.G.A), Aven Secondary School Aven (Patani L.G.A), and Government Model Secondary School Patani (Patani L.G.A) each commended the sensitization campaign. They expressed their gratitude to His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, for including the “Drug Free Delta” initiative as part of his proactive reforms aimed at fostering a greater and better state for all.
The sensitization team is scheduled to visit more schools on February 13, 2025, continuing their vital work in promoting a drug-free future for Delta State’s youth.
