Kwara Teachers Trained as Frontline Defenders in Fight Against Drug Abuse
Thirty secondary school teachers in Kwara State have been trained to serve as the first line of defence in protecting students from drug and substance abuse.
The training, organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in collaboration with the MTN Foundation and the Kwara State Government, was held during a two-day stakeholders’ workshop in Ilorin.
Formally opened on Tuesday by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who was represented by his Senior Advisor/Counsellor, Alhaji Saadu Salahu, the programme featured the “Unplugged Teachers Training” model, designed to give educators the tools to both prevent and respond to cases of drug use among young people.
Governor AbdulRazaq announced that the state would scale up the programme to cover 1,440 teachers, with the aim of reaching at least 86,400 students across schools in Kwara.
At the technical session on Wednesday, UNODC experts guided participants through 12 key lessons of the Unplugged programme, including decision-making, building social skills, and fostering resilience.
Maria Ilugbuhi, a UNODC representative and trainer, said: “The ultimate goal of this training is to reduce drug and substance use among students. Teachers were also taught how to support students struggling with addiction and prevent others from starting. We want students with drug-related challenges to feel comfortable approaching their teachers for counselling.”
Another UNODC trainer, Adebomi Adekunle, explained that the sessions were designed to help teachers prevent drug use and also provide support to students already affected.
Teachers who took part in the training described it as both timely and impactful.
Nuhu Kabiru Wada of Baptist Grammar School, Okuta, said: “The experience is unique because, as parents, we are also invested in creating a drug-free society.”
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.”
Olanipekun Pius of Offa Grammar School noted: “We have learned how to counsel students on the dangers of drug abuse. This programme is crucial, given the contribution of drug abuse to various social and security challenges in our society.”
By empowering teachers to act as counsellors and role models, organisers say the initiative is expected to have a ripple effect in reducing drug abuse not only in schools but across communities in Kwara State.
