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
.
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.
