Drug and substance abuse has emerged as one of the most pressing social and public health challenges confronting our nation today. The rising prevalence of drug use among school-aged children poses a great threat to our collective future. Beyond the immediate risks to physical and mental health, substance abuse undermines academic performance, disrupts families and communities, and compromises national development.

Recent data and field reports paint a deeply troubling picture: an alarming and increasing number of students in both secondary schools and tertiary institutions across Nigeria are engaging in the use and abuse of illicit drugs and harmful substances. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2022), about 14.4% of Nigerians in the age group of 15-64 years abuse drugs, of which the majority are children.

Although comprehensive national data on drug and substance abuse among Nigerian secondary and tertiary students is limited, these statistics are not just numbers; they represent children whose futures are at risk. It is therefore imperative that we take deliberate, coordinated and sustainable actions to safeguard the learning environment and equip our children with the knowledge, skills and resilience to make informed choices.