By Oso Abidemi
The Federal Government has intensified its campaign against drug abuse and vaping among school-aged children in the Federal Capital Territory through a strengthened partnership between the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), and civil society organisations.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the FCTA, Pharm.
Boniface Ikwu, said the administration is committed to a broad-based, community-focused strategy to combat the rising menace of substance abuse not only in schools but also in motor parks, public spaces and even government offices.
Ikwu noted that the campaign is being extended across all six area councils of the FCT, adding that sensitisation drives have already been launched in several schools.
He stressed the need for inclusivity in the fight, pointing out that substance abuse affects all sectors of society including public servants.
He said the administration has initiated a Drug Abuse and Smoke-Free School Policy to foster safe and healthy learning environments.
As part of this policy, drug-free clubs and counseling units have been established in various schools, reaching thousands of students.
Ikwu acknowledged the support of key partners such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists.
However, he warned that economic constraints and limited funding continue to hamper the expansion of the initiative.
Among the civil society representatives at the meeting was Ambassador Kenneth Anetor, Executive Director of A New Thing International Foundation and National Vice Chairman of the Association of Advocates Against Alcohol Harm in Nigeria.
He called for the adoption of stronger institutional safeguards and emphasized that alcohol-free school policies are part of global best practices.
Anetor urged the government to domesticate these standards to ensure long-term protection for children.
He stressed that prevention must be treated as a critical investment in the future of the nation.
Omei Bongos, a representative of Gatefield, raised alarm over the rising trend of vaping and shisha smoking among teenagers.
She warned about deceptive marketing tactics by tobacco and vape companies which often present their products in flavors like mango and strawberry to attract young users.
Bongos argued that these devices are not cessation tools but traps to recruit a new generation into addiction.
She advocated for urgent policy reforms and assured that Gatefield would continue to support the FCTA with communication tools and policy frameworks to help schools address the threat effectively.
Stakeholders at the meeting agreed on the need to establish a multi-sectoral coordinating body that would align and fund anti-drug efforts across all levels of society.
The FCTA and its partners affirmed that only a united and sustained effort can protect the future of children in the FCT from the dangers of substance abuse and addiction.
