At Premiere Academy, there's zero tolerance for drugs and substance abuse among students. Because of this, the school successfully held a drug abuse campaign tagged “Say No to Drug Abuse”. The event, which is a one day drug awareness interactive conference took place on Thursday, 10th February 2022 at Premiere Academy Lugbe Abuja in conjunction with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Global Peace Advocacy and Empowerment Initiative.
According to studies, some of the most vulnerable age groups to drug abuse are adolescents, especially, those transiting into adulthood. Based on statistics, drug abuse and gun proliferation amongst youth are on the increase, particularly among teenagers who make up the secondary school population because the teenage years are basically for experimentation where information is often distorted and misrepresented and this could lead the most intelligent teen into a wrong association.
Campaign such as the drug awareness conference, organised by Premiere Academy, and with the intent to promote drug prevention, particularly amongst secondary school students as well as other age groups should be embraced, sponsored and encouraged by all stakeholders because the school understands that when students are well informed about the dangers of drugs, they will be more prepared to make critical decisions while defending themselves against peer pressure.
Consequently, the school believes that drug prevention programmes will enable students acquire requisite knowledge about the harmful effects of drugs and substance abuse. Hence, the reason among others why Premiere Academy is working with relevant stakeholders to create awareness about substance and drug abuse by exposing students to drug abuse education early enough so that they can acquire the knowledge and develop skills necessary to avoid risky situations while also being able to make healthier personal choices.
Mr. John Olugbenro, the principal of Premiere Academy in his speech explained the need for continuous drug awareness campaigns and collaboration with all learning institutions, as drug abuse can interfere with students’ learning ability as well as having adverse effects that can last a lifetime.
As part of the activities marking the event, a playlet was staged by students of Premiere Academy to re-enact the inherent social pressures associated with substance use in social scenarios to enhance students' understanding. The drama also enlightened the audience with facts, exposed myths that surround drugs, debunk the hype around drug and alcohol use, which is often sustained by peer pressure and the media.
Present at the event were the School Management team, staff and students, invited schools, representatives of NDLEA, NSCDC, MINISTRY of Health, MINISTRY OF INTERIOR, ROYAL HIGHNESSES AND NGOs among other eminent personalities.
The event was borne out of the understanding that preparation is essential, and to raise awareness among students about issues related to drugs and alcohol use, with a specific focus on prevention, health, and safety.
At Premiere Academy, the goal is to help shape students for what lies ahead of them. With this, they do not just get into college; they acquire the ability to manage their own lives and a determination to succeed.
