Delta: ISRCA Launches Public Senior Secondary School Mentorship Outreach Program Against Cultism, Drug Abuse

By Daniel Dafe

The Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancements (ISRCA) AKA “No Justice, No Peace,” has launched a public Senior Secondary School mentorship outreach program focused on cultism and drug abuse across various local government areas in Delta state.

The group held its inaugural session at Alegbo Secondary School in Uvwie Local Government Area on the 9th of March, 2026.

The exercise, led by the National Coordinator, Comr. (Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, highlighted concerns regarding the widespread detrimental impact on young people and recent cult-related violence in the area, necessitating a renewed focus on addressing these pressing issues at the grassroots level, given the incidents in recent years that prompted these awareness campaigns.

The group also conducted site visits to Nana College in Warri South Local Government Area on March 13 and Otokutu Secondary School in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State on March 16.

The National Coordinator emphasized that this initiative will be a recurring exercise, with the organization’s objective being to visit all 25 Local Government Areas of Delta State in rotation to address issues that have evolved into challenges within contemporary society.

In a statement on Wednesday, Comr. Agberen noted that a substantial number of secondary school students have thus far demonstrated an ability to identify various abused substances, underscoring the stark reality that children are exposed to more than is often perceived.

Adding: “Consequently, it is essential that parents, guardians, educators, and community leaders do more than provide basic necessities; they must also offer guidance, engage in active listening, and remain involved in children’s lives, as neglecting these responsibilities can lead to detrimental influences.”

ALSO READ: Environmental Degradation In Oil-Rich Communities Eroding Reproductive Health, UNIDEL VC Warns

He asserted that cultism and drug abuse present formidable dangers to both individuals and society, precipitating calamitous outcomes such as premature mortality, academic underachievement, psychological disorders, and widespread criminality, with cultism and substance abuse reciprocally fueling each other, thereby generating a vicious cycle of violence and self-annihilation, saying that the prevalence of cultism and drug abuse among secondary school students within Nigerian educational settings necessitates intervention from both parental figures and the community at large, given its characterization as a societal issue.

Agberen further emphasized that combating cultism and drug abuse necessitates a multifaceted approach, wherein parents serve as the primary defense line through responsible upbringing and vigilant monitoring, while the society offers systemic support, awareness initiatives, and enforcement mechanisms.

He averred that more than 70% of individuals involved in cultism and drug abuse often originate from dysfunctional or neglectful backgrounds, underscoring that prevention begins within the family unit, whereas community-based interventions facilitate the rehabilitation and safeguarding of young people.

However, he urged parents, as primary socialization agents, to inculcate moral values in their children, foster a secure home environment, and vigilantly oversee their children’s friendships and social interactions, thereby establishing a robust, trusting relationship that encourages open communication.