A faith-based organisation, Divine Heritage in conjunction with Giving for Living, on Friday, April 3, 2026, organised a teens-focused programme themed “Drug Abuse and Peer Pressure” aimed at educating young people on the dangers of substance abuse and negative social influence.
The event, which coincided with the observance of Good Friday, brought together teenagers for an interactive session designed to raise awareness, promote self-identity, and equip participants with the knowledge needed to resist harmful behaviours.
In her welcome address, the Founder and Director of Divine Heritage and Giving for Living, Rev. Mrs. Ebunoluwa Idowu, expressed appreciation to attendees and highlighted the significance of the day.
She noted that being Good Friday, which marks the death of Jesus Christ, presented a unique opportunity to impart vital lessons to the younger generation.
She emphasised that educating teenagers on drug abuse and peer pressure is crucial in today’s society, urging participants to listen attentively, take notes, and actively engage by asking questions to deepen their understanding of the subject.
The guest speaker, Mrs. Modupe Abute, a mental health and addiction counsellor, delivered an extensive session, stressing the strong connection between peer pressure and substance abuse among youths.
According to her, both issues often go hand in hand, as children who are unable to withstand peer influence are more likely to experiment with harmful substances.
She explained that the goal of the session was to help young people, particularly adolescents, develop a strong sense of identity that would enable them to remain assertive and resist negative influences.
She further noted that children as young as eight to nine years old up to late teenagers are increasingly being exposed to substance abuse, attributing the trend to various factors including family background, academic stress, and, most prominently, peer influence.
Mrs. Abute stated that her focus was to empower the participants to recognise when to say “yes” or “no,” and to do so with courage and confidence, without succumbing to pressure from their peers.
While acknowledging that positive peer influence exists, she warned that negative peer pressure has become more prevalent and dangerous.
She added that by the end of the session, participants were expected to better understand peer pressure, its link to substance abuse, and how to withdraw from situations that could lead to harmful decisions.
The counsellor also called for increased awareness on the issue, stressing the need for both children and parents to actively participate in addressing peer pressure, bullying, and related challenges affecting young people.
The programme concluded with a call for continued education and collective efforts to combat substance abuse and promote healthier lifestyles among teenagers.
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