Concerned by the rising cases of substance abuse among teenagers in secondary schools, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has teamed up with the MTN Foundation to train teachers in Kaduna State on a school-based drug prevention program targeted at students aged 10 to 15.
Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of a two-day stakeholder workshop in Kaduna on Tuesday , Elizabeth Atuman, a trainer with the UNODC, said the initiative is part of a wider plan to “catch them young” before they get exposed to harmful substances that destroy lives and communities.
“This program is not about treatment. It is about prevention—stopping children from going into drugs in the first place. We want to equip them with the life skills to say no to drugs,” Atuman said.
According to her, the program, which began in Nigeria in 2015 with Federal Government Colleges, has since been expanded to state schools with the support of stakeholders such as MTN Foundation.
Atuman disclosed that the prevention package consists of a 12-lesson curriculum designed to be taught within the classroom, focusing on skills such as communication, assertiveness, teamwork, and confidence-building.
“The lessons are packed full of life skills. We want students to learn how to resist peer pressure, communicate better, work in teams, and build self-confidence. These are life skills they will carry with them into adulthood,” she said.
She noted that the program exposes students to the dangers of smoking, alcohol, cannabis, and other substances, helping them understand the health and social consequences of drug use.
“Some children say things like, ‘My grandfather has been smoking since before I was born.’ But the truth is, smoking reduces lifespan. The curriculum breaks down the science so children understand the risks,” she added.
Atuman revealed that Kaduna State has now adopted the program, with the government focusing on Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3) students.
“The Kaduna State Drug Abuse Control Agency DG made it clear yesterday that every child passes through JSS3. That’s why the program is targeting this class,” she said.
Previously, the curriculum was implemented in Senior Secondary 1 (SS1) classes, but the state government now believes that younger children should be reached earlier, before bad habits form.
For the ongoing training, 30 teachers drawn from 10 secondary schools across the state are participating.
Atuman explained that this set of teachers would be expected to return to their schools to implement the curriculum.
“We have trained more than 30 teachers in the past. This time, MTN Foundation is sponsoring the training, and the 30 teachers here will step down the lessons in their schools.”
She praised the Kaduna State government for supporting the initiative, noting that the program had previously relied on federal funding before MTN Foundation stepped in to expand its reach.
“I’m glad to hear Kaduna State is really taking up this mantle to fight drug abuse. They have several programs running now, and with partners like MTN Foundation and UNODC, we believe we can save more children before it’s too late,” she added.
Atuman also lamented the rising cases of substance abuse among secondary school students, warning that the trend threatens education, families, and the wider society.
“There are so many challenges shaking her head. A child as young as 12, 13, or 14 is engaging in things you can’t even name. Some of them mix substances whose names we don’t even know.”
The training ended on Tuesday, with participants pledging to implement the 12-lesson curriculum across their schools to tackle drug abuse from its roots
It can be recalled that PUNCH Online reported on Tuesday, September 16, that MTN Foundation and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency launched a 24/7 psychosocial support helpline, 08010203040, to connect Nigerians with professional psychologists for free counselling in multiple local languages.
The initiative was unveiled in Kaduna on Monday during a stakeholders’ workshop on teachers’ training, where it was disclosed that the helpline was a key intervention within the MTN Foundation’s wider Anti-Substance Abuse Programme, which aimed to train 1,440 teachers and sensitise 86,400 public secondary school students across 12 states.
The UNODC-MTN Foundation partnership in Kaduna reflects a proactive approach to curbing substance abuse among young students. By equipping teachers with the tools to deliver life skills and drug awareness lessons, the program seeks to prevent drug use before it begins, fostering healthier, more informed communities