The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Adamawa State has called on parents to intensify efforts in guiding and training their children to steer clear of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
The agency made the appeal while commemorating the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with an event held in Yola, the state capital.
As part of the commemoration, NDLEA organized a one-day training for secondary school students drawn from various schools across the capital, aiming to educate them early on the dangers of illicit drug use.
The event was held under the global theme: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.”
Delivering a lecture titled “Break the Cycle” on addiction, trafficking, and related criminal activities”, Dr. Umar Joel Jacob, a consultant psychiatrist, emphasized that many crimes and social vices are carried out under the influence of drugs.
According to Dr. Jacob, Nigeria’s crime rate could be significantly reduced if families take a more proactive role in raising their children.
He disclosed that from January to June 2025, about 50 percent of psychiatric cases at Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH) were linked to drug addiction, and urged educational institutions to consider conducting drug tests before admitting new students.
