The Network Against Corruption and Trafficking has expressed concern over the rising cases of drug abuse among Nigerian youths.
According to a statement on Thursday sent to PUNCH Online, NACAT’s Operational Manager, Stanley Ugagbe, said youths especially students need to know the severe legal and emotional repercussions of drug abuse and corruption.
Ugabe, during the unveiling of the Student Network Against Corruption and Trafficking at Dorben College of Digital Technology in Abuja on Wednesday, said there is a need to combat the growing issues of drug abuse and corruption among young Nigerians.
He further stressed the legal dangers of drug abuse, highlighting that being caught with even a small quantity of banned substances could lead to criminal charges that may ruin a young person’s future.
“Drug abuse among Nigerian youths is alarming. Addiction doesn’t start with a pill or a needle—it starts with a choice. I urged you to resist peer pressure and seek help when needed, emphasizing that one bad decision can have lifelong consequences.
“The law is not as forgiving as your parents or your teachers. One mistake can leave a permanent mark on your record,” he said.
Ugagbe encouraged students to prioritise education, personal values, and community support in building a better future.
“The future is in your hands. Protect it. Guard it. And choose to rise above the traps set by drugs and bad influences,” he added.
Also speaking during the unveiling, NACAT Programme Manager, Miss Joy Tomo, outlined the club’s goals, including peer-led advocacy, civic engagement, and ethical leadership training.
“This club is more than a school group—it’s a national movement,” Tomo told the students, urging them to lead the charge against corruption and societal decay.
Representing the school management, a teacher, Mr. Paul Oyiedi, thanked NACAT for the initiative, describing it as timely and essential to shaping students’ moral values and promoting national development.
