During this year’s World Drug Day, Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry- CADAM is putting together a series of activities to mark the day. CADAM, a faith based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) under the auspices of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has been in the fore front in the fight against Drug and Substance abuse in Nigeria. For over 30 years CADAM has worked closely with other stakeholders in the sector to treat and rehabilitate people with drug use disorders. In fact, over 3000 people have been successfully treated, with most living more fulfilled lives.
The World Drug Day is observed every year on June 26. The United Nations General Assembly in 1987 established and marked the day as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to serve as a reminder of the goals agreed to by Member States of creating an international society free of drug abuse. Recent happenings around us in Nigeria and the world were rife to determine what the theme of this year will be “Addressing Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crisis” #CareinCrisis.
So, this year also, individuals, communities, governmental and non-governmental organizations all over the world will join in at various levels to commemorate the World Drug Day through raising awareness of the menace of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the society, state, nation and the world at large
CADAM marks the World Drug Day on Sunday, June 26, 2022 in many Churches across Lagos through a Special Church Engagement Program. This involves about 100 Anti-Drug Abuse Advocates speaking during the Sunday service on the increasing menace of Drug Abuse. This is because more people are resorting to drug abuse as a coping mechanism at a time of high insecurity (local insurgency, banditry, kidnappings & killings) and economic hardship resulting from the gradually subsiding Covid-19 pandemic and on-going international wars.
CADAM‘s theme for the World Drug Day “Regardless. Speak Up, Get Help” admonishes everyone suffering under the scourge of Drug and Substance Abuse not to shy away because of associated stigma and ostracization by family and society. They are encouraged to speak up and reach out for help as may be available. CADAM more than ever before is ready to give the needed help by providing counselling at her head office in Lagos and treatment & rehabilitation at her two rehabilitation centres in Epe and Abeokuta
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Members of Staff and Friends of CADAM will go on an awareness walk at the RCCG Redemption Camp, Mowe, Ogun State on Tuesday, June 28 to further promote the theme: Regardless. Speak Up, Get help while providing needed information on Drug Abuse to all on their way. The walk which will go on concurrently in Epe and Port Harcourt is to raise the consciousness of all other stakeholders in the Anti-Drug Abuse sector to do more at this critical time.
Every year CADAM treats about 300 people in her facilities in Epe and Abeokuta, and counsels more than 1000 people at her office in Lagos.
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