KADUNA – In a significant move to combat the rising threat of substance abuse, the MTN Foundation, in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has unveiled a free, 24-hour psychosocial support helpline for Nigerians.
The initiative, announced on Monday during a stakeholders’ workshop on teachers’ training in Kaduna, will provide citizens with access to professional counselling in multiple local languages through the toll-free number: 08010203040.
This helpline is a central component of the MTN Foundation’s broader Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP), which aims to train 1,440 teachers and sensitise 86,400 public secondary school students across 12 states in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, a representative of the MTN Foundation, Abubakar Zubairu, outlined the programme’s comprehensive approach, which includes quiz competitions, community sensitisation outreaches in collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and intensive training for educators.
“The teachers’ training in Kaduna and Kwara will pave the way for a digital framework to expand the impact,” Zubairu stated. “The need to scale this subject matter is pertinent, and we trust all stakeholders will support this noble cause as we work towards a drug-free nation.”
The Foundation emphasised that the programme’s success will be measured not just by the number of people reached, but by observable, long-term changes in behaviour and attitudes among the nation’s youth.
This latest effort builds on recent collaborations. Earlier this month, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Kwara State Government, and the MTN Foundation trained 30 teachers in Ilorin. The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has since announced plans to expand that initiative to 1,440 teachers to reach tens of thousands of students.
The two-day workshops are designed to equip teachers with crucial strategies for drug prevention, including decision-making techniques, social skills development, and resilience-building, positioning educators as first-line counsellors for students struggling with addiction.
Benefits to Nigeria
The multi-faceted campaign is expected to yield significant national benefits, including:
Enhanced Public Health: By providing free and accessible counselling, the initiative offers critical support for addiction recovery and mental health, reducing the public health burden associated with substance abuse.
Strengthened Security: Tackling drug abuse at its root is a proven strategy for reducing drug-related crime and violence, contributing to improved community safety and national security.
Empowered Youth: Educating and sensitising hundreds of thousands of students will empower a generation with the knowledge and resilience to make healthier choices, leading to a more productive and engaged youth populace.
Economic Productivity: A reduction in substance abuse leads to a healthier, more focused workforce and student population, which is fundamental to long-term economic growth and development.
Community Resilience: Through teacher training and community outreach, the programme builds a sustainable framework of support within schools and local governments, creating a resilient national front against the scourge of illicit drugs.
