Community pharmacists occupy a unique position within the healthcare system. As the most accessible healthcare professionals, we interact daily with patients, families, students, teachers, civil servants, traders, and community leaders. This strategic position enables us not only to dispense medicines but also to serve as educators, counsellors, advocates, and public health champions. Consequently, ACPN has consistently invested in programmes aimed at disease prevention, health promotion, responsible medicine use, and community development.
Among these interventions, one programme has emerged as a flagship initiative in our efforts to protect young people from substance abuse, the ACPN Anti-Drug Abuse School Competition (ADASC).
The Origin and Evolution of ADASC
Several years ago, members of ACPN became increasingly concerned about reports indicating rising levels of substance abuse among adolescents and young adults. We observed a troubling trend where children within our schools were becoming exposed to substances capable of destroying their academic aspirations, health, and future prospects. At the peak of substance abuse crisis in Nigeria, reports from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) indicated that an estimated 14.3 million and 10.6 million Nigerians have used psychoactive substances and cannabis in 2017 and 2018 respectively, with alarming effects on education, productivity, security and public health. As pharmacists, we understood that while treatment and rehabilitation are essential, prevention remains the most effective intervention.
This realization gave birth to the ACPN Anti-Drug Abuse School Competition (ADASC).
The vision was simple but ambitious: to create a generation of informed, empowered, and drug-free young people who can serve as advocates against substance abuse within their schools and communities. What began as a modest educational initiative has today evolved into one of the most recognizable school-based anti-drug advocacy programmes in Akwa Ibom State.
Over the years, ADASC has continued to grow in scope, visibility, credibility, and impact. Each successive edition has attracted increasing participation from schools, educators, parents, and stakeholders who share our conviction that prevention is better than cure. Today, ADASC stands not merely as a competition but as a movement dedicated to shaping the attitudes and behaviours of young people regarding drug use and abuse.
The History and Growth of ADASC: A Journey of Impact
ADASC was formally launched in 2024 as a strategic response to the growing threat of drug and substance abuse among adolescents and young people in our society. At its inception, the vision was clear: to create a sustainable platform through which secondary school students could acquire accurate knowledge about drug abuse, develop positive attitudes towards healthy living, and become advocates for a drug-free society. From the very beginning, ACPN Akwa Ibom State Branch resolved that the competition would be more than an annual event. It would serve as a vehicle for youth empowerment, leadership development, and preventive public health education.
The maiden edition held in 2024 recorded remarkable success and culminated in the emergence of Michael Akpan of Monef High School, Uyo, as the overall winner. In line with our commitment to encouraging excellence and expanding opportunities for young people, ACPN sponsored Michael Akpan to represent the South-South Region at the National Anti-Drug Abuse Competition held in Ibadan, Oyo State in July, 2024. This milestone demonstrated that students from Akwa Ibom State could compete favourably on the national stage while serving as ambassadors of the anti-drug campaign.
Building on the success of the inaugural edition, the competition continued to gain momentum in 2025. The second edition witnessed increased participation, heightened public awareness, and stronger stakeholder engagement. At the conclusion of the competition, Justina Emmah John of Uyo High School, Uyo, emerged as the overall winner. Once again, ACPN fulfilled its promise by sponsoring her to represent the South-South Zone at the National Competition held in Awka, Anambra State. Her participation further elevated the profile of Akwa Ibom State and reinforced the credibility of ADASC as a programme capable of nurturing future leaders and advocates against substance abuse.
Today, just three years after its launch, ADASC has evolved into one of the most impactful school-based anti-drug awareness initiatives in Akwa Ibom State. The competition has become a symbol of hope, empowerment, and preventive action and has demonstrated that young people can be effectively engaged as partners in the fight against drug abuse.
Why ADASC is Important
The reality confronting us today is alarming. Drug abuse has become a major public health, social, educational, and security challenge. Its consequences include poor academic performance, school dropouts, mental health disorders, criminal behaviour, family dysfunction, violence and insecurity, reduced productivity and premature death .Unfortunately, adolescents remain among the most vulnerable populations. At this stage of life, curiosity, peer pressure, social influence, misinformation, and experimentation often combine to create significant risks.
This is why interventions targeted at schools are critical. By reaching students early, we can shape perceptions, correct misconceptions, and build resilience against substance abuse.
The ADASC Model
The ACPN Anti-Drug Abuse School Competition utilizes an innovative model that combines education, advocacy, mentorship, and healthy competition. Participating schools undergo a structured process involving orientation, and information on programme objectives and participation guidelines. Participants are evaluated on written essays or poems, anti-drug abuse skits and anti-drug abuse clubs. Students are encouraged to become anti-drug ambassadors within their schools and communities. Outstanding schools and students are recognized and rewarded for excellence and commitment to anti-drug advocacy.
Achievements of ADASC
The impact of ADASC continues to exceed expectations. The programme has successfully increased awareness, exposed thousands of students to accurate information regarding the dangers of substance abuse, stimulated school-based advocacy, increased incorporation of anti-drug messages into school activities and student engagements and encouraged positive behavioural change.
The 2026 Edition: Our Most Successful and Impactful Edition Yet
The year 2026 marks another significant milestone in the history of the ACPN Anti-Drug Abuse School Competition.
Interestingly, a total of fifty-two (52) secondary schools were visited and invited to the competition. Following a rigorous process of sensitization, assessment, and competitive evaluation, five exceptional schools emerged as finalists. On 17 June 2026, at the prestigious Ibom Hall in Uyo, KiniAbasi Ubong David of Divine Seeds High School, Eket, emerged as the overall winner of the edition. His achievement did not end at the state level. On 28 July 2026, at the National Anti-Drug Abuse Competition (NADAC) held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Center in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, KiniAbasi Ubong David went on to defeat over 90 participating schools and emerged as the national winner.
