The SheRises Women Empowerment Initiative has launched a campaign against drug abuse among secondary school students, aimed at promoting a drug-free society and encouraging young people to focus on pursuing their dreams.

The campaign, held at Sango High School, Ota, marked the organisation’s first major initiative focused on tackling drug abuse among students as part of its broader mission to support vulnerable women and children.

Speaking at the event, the guest lecturer, Imam Saheed Adekunle, stressed the need to educate young people, particularly secondary school students, about the dangers of drug misuse and abuse.

He noted that some young people misuse drugs without consulting physicians or following prescriptions, warning that such practices could have serious consequences…”

“When you get to a point where two doses of paracetamol are not enough for you, and you start using four or six, it will get to a point where you will say you have to go beyond paracetamol,” he said.

Adekunle said drug abuse could negatively affect students’ academic performance, health, relationships and future opportunities. He identified peer influence, social pressure, inadequate parental care, ego and depression as some of the factors that could drive young people into drug abuse.

He also urged social media influencers to be mindful of their conduct online, noting that many young people imitate what they see on social media without fully understanding the consequences.

“Curiosity about the effects of drugs and emotional escape from stress are other reasons why people use drugs. Unfortunately today, if you go to social media, you see a lot of people advertising manpower and all of that. All these make fight against drug abuse difficult to achieve,” he said.

He urged the students not to allow peer pressure or other challenges to draw them into drug abuse, stressing that their future was more important than their present circumstances.

National President of SheRises Women Empowerment Initiative, Alhaja Halimat Ojediran, said the campaign was organised to curb drug abuse among students, protect them from the consequences and promote a drug-free generation.

She said the organisation was committed to supporting vulnerable women and children and helping them realise their full potential through education, empowerment and awareness.

“We organised this programme to enlighten, engage and empower our students with knowledge that will help them say no to drugs and yes to their dreams,” she said.

The high point of the event was the distribution of school bags and exercise books to students to support their education.