By Tapre Timine, Bayelsa
Bayelsa State has intensified efforts to protect schoolchildren from the dangers of drug abuse, as the Drug Abuse Addiction Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee (BADAPARC) concluded a two-day training for teachers in Yenagoa Local Government Area.
The orientation, which wrapped up on Tuesday, introduced educators to Unplugged, a school-based drug prevention programme supported by the United Nations. The initiative equips teachers with practical tools to help students withstand peer pressure and make informed decisions about their wellbeing.
Selected participants were drawn from five secondary schools across the local government area: Ogbo Memorial Secondary School, Onopa; Central Epie Secondary School, Opolo; Community Secondary School, Akaba; Community Secondary School, Zarama; and Community Secondary School, Ikarama.
BADAPARC officials stated that the training conforms to international standards set by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and signals Bayelsa’s ongoing commitment to protecting young people from substance abuse.
Governor Douye Diri and Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo have consistently advocated early, preventive intervention in addressing drug-related challenges, particularly within the school environment.
The Unplugged programme is scheduled to begin in classrooms when the new academic session starts in the coming weeks. It forms part of a broader state government approach to securing the physical and mental wellbeing of future generations.
