The Niger Delta Development Commission has vowed to tackle the menace of drug abuse and cultism among students in Akwa Ibom schools.
The campaign is intended to sustain the peace in the region by sensitising youths especially secondary school students to the dangers of cultism and drug abuse.
Speaking during the one-day campaign in Uyo on Saturday, the acting Managing Director of the Commission, Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, said the two vices had eaten deep into society and destroyed the promising future of the young generation.
Audu-Ohwavboua, who was represented by the Director of Youths and Sports, NDDC, Offiong Ephraim, urged the youths to flee from the twin problems of cultism and drug abuse to enable them contribute to development.
He said, “We decided to embark on this campaign because this is the right time to catch the young ones and tell them why they should not indulge in drug abuse.
“The problems associated with drug abuse are so enormous to quantify. We all know that, even in our society, people are not sure of their safety because of cult activities are everywhere.
“After this seminar, if anyone approaches you to join cultism or indulge in drug abuse you should be able to say ‘no’ because of the dangers that go with these vices.
“So many people have gone haywire even mad because of drug abuse and cultism will not allow you to concentrate on your studies because if you are a member of any cult group, you may likely drop out of school.
Audu-Ohwavborua, who shared 100 educational materials including tabs and bags to students, urged them to become ambassadors and advocates of anti-cultism and drug abuse in their respective schools to help their colleagues shun such practices.
