Edo inaugurates campus outreach to curb rising drug abuse
The Edo State Government has rolled out a statewide campus sensitisation tour designed to strengthen drug-abuse prevention through student-focused learning interventions. The initiative, Shine Above Drug Abuse, positions tertiary institutions as the primary hubs for early awareness and behavioural reorientation.
Led by Andrew Efe, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Drug and Illicit Control, the outreach is engaging students across the three senatorial districts, including those at the University of Benin, Ambrose Alli University, and Auchi Polytechnic.
Speaking at UNIBEN, Efe said the rising rate of substance misuse made it imperative to prioritise education-driven prevention. He noted that the state’s strategy centres on equipping students with the knowledge, critical thinking, and support systems required to resist harmful influences and cultivate healthier decision-making.
During town hall sessions, he urged students to champion drug-free learning environments and highlighted the academic and health risks associated with illicit substances.
At Ambrose Alli University, he emphasised that schools remained the most strategic anchors for long-term prevention, as they provide structured platforms for counselling, peer support, and sustained enlightenment.
The tour featured interactive engagements, rallies, and Q&A sessions, with cash rewards for outstanding participants. Students also raised concerns about peer pressure and the easy access to substances near campuses.
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