Fight Against Drug Abuse in Schools: CRAN Sensitises Students in Ajegunle
By Raheem Ibrahim
The Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) has sensitised public secondary school students in the Ajegunle-Ajeromi area of Lagos on the dangers of illicit drug use.
The awareness campaign was organised in commemoration of the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, with the theme: “The Evidence is Clear, Invest in Prevention.”
In his welcome address at the event held on Thursday at the Bola Ige Millennium Secondary School Hall, Tolu Complex, Ajegunle, CRAN President, Mr. Olalekan Olabulo, cautioned students against the use of banned substances such as marijuana and cocaine, reminding them that offenders risk up to 20 years in jail upon conviction.
According to him, “I want to begin by saying congratulations to you. Drug abuse is not peculiar to Nigeria. But because of what is happening here, we must take responsibility and fight within our own environment.”
Olabulo urged the students to share the knowledge they gained with their peers. “When you leave here, tell people what you learned today. Practice it and promote it. You’ll be saving lives—and your own future. If you don’t educate your friends about the dangers of drug abuse and they fall victim, it could become a big problem tomorrow.”
He emphasised the importance of continuous advocacy and sensitisation by government agencies, noting that CRAN has been involved in school outreach programmes for over four years.
“I believe most of you are Gen Z. When we were growing up, we mostly heard of marijuana and cocaine, but today there are more dangerous substances. We’ve carefully selected experts to orientate you on how to stay free from drug abuse. By the end of today, I believe you’ll all be inducted into the fight against drug abuse,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Deputy Commander of Narcotics (DCN) Garba Abubakar of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) educated the students on the nature and consequences of drug abuse.
He listed banned substances such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana, urging the students to avoid them.
Abubakar also clarified the difference between illicit drugs and approved medications like Paracetamol, warning that even socially accepted drugs can be harmful when misused.
“Anyone using these substances should know they’re damaging their organs. Their blood weakens, and they may end up on the streets. It’s very deadly, very dangerous, and very difficult to quit once you start,” he warned.
Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni, Chairperson of the Lagos State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), also addressed the students. She advised them to maintain healthy eating habits and emphasised the link between nutrition and physical fitness.
“Watch what you eat, how you eat, and ensure what you consume is nutritious, hygienic, and appropriate,” she said.
She added that careless consumption of edibles could ruin an athlete’s career. “Edibles can make or mar one’s future, especially if they cause a failed doping test—something that could disqualify athletes and compromise fairness in sports,” she said.
