A non-profit organisation, Initiative for Care, Advocacy, Rehabilitation and Empowerment (I-CARE), in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), conducted a sensitisation campaign for traders and residents of Gwagwalada Market in Abuja. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of hard drug abuse and illicit substance use.
Campaign Highlights
The event was part of I-CARE’s 2026 Mental Health Awareness Week, themed ‘Action for yourself, for all of us, for someone else’. Officials from both organisations educated market men and women on the health, social, and economic consequences of drug abuse, stressing the need for individuals and communities to avoid illicit substances.
I-CARE’s Role
Talubi Olusegun, Public Relations Officer of I-CARE, said the campaign was organised to educate the public, particularly traders and youths, on the devastating effects of substance abuse and the importance of prioritising mental health. He noted that drug abuse remains a major threat, contributing to mental health disorders, crime, violence, and loss of productivity. Olusegun urged participants to shun illicit substances and seek professional help for emotional or psychological difficulties. He called on community leaders, parents, and market associations to support drug abuse prevention efforts among young people.
NDLEA’s Warning
Peter Njokwu, Assistant Director of Community Awareness at NDLEA, warned that hard drug abuse and indiscriminate mixing of alcoholic beverages pose serious risks. He explained that many young people endanger their lives by combining different alcoholic drinks and consuming illicit substances, leading to addiction, organ damage, mental health disorders, and sudden death. Njokwu described the trend of mixing spirits, beer, wine, and local brews as dangerous and avoidable. He also linked drug abuse to road accidents, domestic violence, and reduced productivity.
Community Impact
Njokwu identified cannabis as the most widely abused illicit substance in the area, with alcohol being the most commonly abused social drug. He warned against polydrug use, stating that mixing alcohol kills faster and damages the liver and kidneys. Participants commended the initiative as timely and impactful, pledging to share the knowledge gained with their families and support efforts to combat substance abuse.
