*An initiative design to teach children dangers of substances abuse
Idibia Gabriel, Kaduna
Wednesday 5th 2025, an Outstanding Groomers Academy Nursery and Primary School in Makera, Kaduna State hosted the Tobacco and Substance Abstinence Club, an initiative designed to teach children about the dangers of substance misuse at an early age.
The program, led by Margaret Kwa’ada Julius, an internationally recognized Substance Use Disorder (SUD) prevention professional and 2024 Ecolink Institute of Well-being Award winner, introduces poetry as a powerful tool for engaging children in prevention education.
Research indicates that children in Nigeria are often exposed to smoking and local alcohol at a young age, sometimes as a means to cope with hunger. Julius, a three-time WHO World No Tobacco Day Award winner, believes that early intervention is crucial to addressing substance use before it becomes a lifelong struggle.
“Children, especially orphans and those with physical disabilities, face deep emotional trauma. Unlike children who have parents to lean on, orphans grow up in environments where even the name ‘orphanage’ can feel like a heavy burden,” she explained.
She also emphasized the importance of ensuring children with physical disabilities are integrated into inclusive learning environments, rather than being placed in institutions designed for mental health disorders.
A touching moment during the event was when some orphan, confidently recited a prevention poem, their face lighting up with joy and saying that we will continue reciting the poem. The poetry-based approach not only teaches children about substance use prevention but also provides an emotional outlet for them to express their feelings.
“Poetry makes prevention fun and engaging. It also helps caregivers and educators recognize children who may be struggling emotionally, allowing them to step in with support,” Julius said.
In addition to poetry, Julius’s foundation provides free Abstinence Club jackets to participating children and promised to add more after production. These jackets serve as more than just clothing—they represent a sense of belonging and a vision for the future.
When a child wears the jacket, they feel part of something meaningful. It gives them confidence, a sense of purpose, and the dream of becoming a prevention advocate in their community,” she added.
The foundation plans to transform its prevention poems into illustrated booklets and animated videos, ensuring nationwide accessibility to SUD education for children.
Julius used the event to call on the Nigerian government and relevant institutions to take proactive steps in supporting vulnerable children, including:
1. Separating children with physical disabilities from those with mental disorders in institutional care, ensuring appropriate support for each group.
2. Improving school infrastructure by providing accessible toilets and other essential facilities for physically disabled students in both public and private schools.
3. Reducing the stigma surrounding orphans by ensuring they receive education alongside other children, rather than being placed in institutions labeled as “orphanages.”
4. Making skill-based education a core part of all school curriculums, instead of limiting vocational training to specialized centers.
“If every child, regardless of their background or abilities, receives proper prevention education and skill training, we can create a drug-free society,” Julius emphasized._
Julius commended orphanages for their tireless efforts in providing shelter, care, and education to vulnerable children. She acknowledged the invaluable role they play in shaping the lives of orphans, offering them a chance at a better future.
However, she also urged orphanage administrators to be mindful of the emotional impact of the labels used for their institutions.
“The temperament of every child differs. While some children may not be affected by the word ‘orphanage,’ others feel isolated and stigmatized by it. A name carries meaning, and choosing a name that represents hope and joy—rather than emphasizing their loss—can uplift these children emotionally,” she advised.
Julius encouraged orphanage homes and schools to adopt names that inspire confidence and a sense of belonging, rather than reinforcing the feeling of abandonment.
The head mistress of the Outstanding groomers Academy Nursery and Primary School Mrs Joy Akandu welcomed the initiative, calling it a “fresh and inspiring approach” to prevention education. She noted that the children were deeply engaged and expressed the school’s commitment to ensuring the club remains active, she promised to make provision of an hygiene loo in the school to accommodate children with physical disability .
The Tobacco and Substance Abstinence Club, which won the prestigious 2024 WHO World No Tobacco Day Award, is rapidly expanding, bringing poetry-driven prevention education to schools across Nigeria.
Julius’s long-term vision is to establish a center where orphans and children with physical disabilities can receive quality education alongside other children, ensuring inclusivity without stigma.
“Fifty percent of students will be orphans, but we will not call it an ‘orphanage.’ Names matter. We want them to feel part of a real community, not a separate institution,” she explained.
As Julius and her team continue their mission to prevent substance misuse through innovative education, she calls on government agencies, educators, and stakeholders to support efforts that provide inclusive learning environments and prevention strategies for all children.
 | ReplyReply to allForwardAdd reaction |
