DESOPADEC Anti - Drugs Campaign Train Arrives Isoko

The DESOPADEC anti-drugs campaign train, coordinated by the Department of Community Development and Public Enlightenment, under the Directorate of Social Services arrived at Atebo Comprehensive High School, Ekuigbo-Iyede, in Isoko North Local Government Area today, Wednesday 3rd December, 2025.

In a brief address, the Head of the Department of Community Development and Public Enlightenment, Mrs.?Chinenye?Ezonfade, thanked the DESOPADEC Board led by the Chairman, Chief John Obukowho Nani; the Managing Director/CEO, Chief Festus Ochonogor; the Executive Director of Social Services, Chief Favour Izuokumor and the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Chief Oghenekome?Reginald Okpobor who gave the directive for the campaign team to visit Atebo Comprehensive High School.

She said the Department was grateful for the opportunity to tour mandate area schools to sensitize youths on the dangers of drug and hard-substance abuse.

Mrs.?Ezonfade also commended the school's management for organizing the students in an orderly manner and expressed hope that they would benefit from the day’s lectures.

Welcoming the DESOPADEC team to the school, the Principal of Atebo Comprehensive High School, Mrs.?Omoghene?Gladys affirmed her belief on the expected positive impact of the programme on the lives of the students.

The first lecture titled, *“Dangers of Drug Abuse and the Use of Hard Substances,”* was delivered by Miss?Elizabeth?Odisu where she outlined health risks such as brain damage, mental challenges and in extreme cases, death as some effects of drugs and hard substance intake, warning against the dangerous practice of inhaling septic-tank fumes to get high and highlighting signs of drug abuse. She thus urged students to avoid friends involved in substance misuse, noting that “evil communication corrupts good manners.”

Miss Honeywell Eburajolo in her talk on cultism, explained that the aim of the day's lecture was to prepare the students to resist the lure of cult groups in higher institutions. She described cultists as rebels who operate outside the law and urged them, as future leaders, to steer clear of such groups.

The programme’s high point was the rendition of a song the students termed , “song of hope, unity, love and joy,” *“We Are The World,”* followed by a question-and-answer session.

Present were the Vice-Principal Dr.?Ofoyeju?Peter?Tobore; Teachers; DESOPADEC staff from the Ozoro Area Office; Staff of the Department of Community Development and Public Enlightenment: Peremabowei?Moses; Oghenekevwe?Courage; Oghenebrozie? Oghenefegor; Theophilus?Ajiroghene; Onome?Favour and several Atebo Comprehensive High School students who participated in the questions and answers session.

The event underscored the collaborative effort of DESOPADEC and local schools to curb drug abuse and cultism among youths in the region.

By Evelyn Obibi – Assay

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