The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and MTN Foundation have unveiled expanded interventions under the Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) to combat rising cases of drug abuse among young people in Enugu State and across Nigeria.
The initiative was unveiled at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, where stakeholders highlighted the growing threat substance abuse poses to youth development, public health and national security.
Speaking at the event, MTN Foundation Executive Director, Odunayo Sanya, said the programme, launched in 2019, has reached over 50,000 secondary school students nationwide and trained more than 1,500 teachers to promote drug abuse prevention and awareness.
She noted that the initiative aims to discourage first-time drug use among young people while empowering student ambassadors to champion anti-drug campaigns in their communities.
Also speaking, NDLEA Deputy Commander, Drug Demand Reduction Directorate, Owunwa Ibezimako, disclosed that a recent survey conducted in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) revealed that more than 360,000 youths in Enugu State are involved in drug use.
He called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, development partners and civil society groups to enhance prevention, treatment and rehabilitation efforts.
The programme is expected to further strengthen awareness campaigns and support efforts aimed at reducing substance abuse among Nigerian youths.
