The War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign is set to launch in Abraka, Delta State, on Monday, November 17, 2025, as part of a renewed community-driven effort to tackle the rising problem of substance abuse in the state.
Led by Dr. Uche Esegbue, Convener of Wisdom Class, the initiative will also feature a follow-up rally in Asaba on November 24, 2025.
Dr. Esegbue, a health advocate and social reformer, shared the plans in a statement on Tuesday, explaining that the campaign will involve peaceful awareness rallies, voluntary drug testing, and the establishment of rehabilitation centers in key Delta communities, including Abraka and Obiaruku.
He noted that the campaign builds on a state of emergency on drug abuse he declared during a WisdomClassTV broadcast on September 30, 2023. According to Dr. Esegbue, the declaration was necessary due to the “consistent failure of federal and state governments, as well as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to effectively address the crisis.”
He explained that the Wisdom Class LiveCare Impact Initiative, in collaboration with the WADA Club, is stepping in to address the gap by establishing fully functional rehabilitation centers and launching public awareness campaigns. These centers will provide free voluntary drug testing, counseling, and rehabilitation services, with a particular focus on youths and vulnerable individuals struggling with substance abuse.
Dr. Esegbue highlighted the importance of early intervention, noting that “any addict who can abstain from drugs for three weeks can test negative.” He urged drug users to take advantage of the campaign’s free testing and treatment programs as a first step toward recovery.
In addition to raising awareness, the WADA initiative is advocating for policy reforms, including a review of existing NDLEA regulations and the introduction of mandatory drug testing in tertiary institutions before admission, with confirmed users directed toward rehabilitation rather than punishment.
He added that a key long-term goal of the campaign is to equip rehabilitated addicts with vocational skills and opportunities that will help them reintegrate successfully into society.
Dr. Esegbue called on the Delta State Government and the general public to support the initiative through partnerships and funding, describing the War Against Drug Abuse movement as “a community’s last line of defense against a silent epidemic.”
With the official launch set for November 17 in Abraka, the campaign aims to engage schools, civil society groups, and health workers in a sustained effort to reduce drug dependency and bring hope back to families affected by substance abuse across Delta State.
