The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has trained 30 secondary school teachers in Kwara State on drug abuse prevention.
The training, part of the “Unplugged Teachers Training” program, aims to equip educators with tools to prevent drug use among students.
The program’s ultimate goal is to reduce drug and substance use among students by empowering teachers with knowledge, skills, and strategies to educate students about the dangers of drug use. The training is part of a larger initiative targeting 1,440 teachers and approximately 86,400 students across 12 states, including Kwara.
The program is jointly organized by the MTN Foundation, Kwara State Government, UNODC, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The training equips teachers to identify risk factors, recognize signs of drug use, and implement effective prevention strategies. Teachers are also taught to support students struggling with addiction and prevent others from starting.
According to participants, the training has been impactful. “The experience is unique because, as parents, we are also invested in creating a drug-free society,” said Nuhu Kabiru Wada from Baptist Grammar School, Okuta. Adebayo Rashidat from Queen Elizabeth School added, “This training is very educative and an eye-opener. We are now better equipped as teachers and parents to prevent drug abuse among students.”