PRAWA has carried out drug seminars across prisons in six locations in Cross River state. This is part of PRAWA’s concerted efforts in eliminating some causes of crime in the society. The drug seminar at Cross River State Prisons which held from the 2nd to the 5th of July began with a courtesy visit to the Comptroller of Prisons by the PRAWA team lead by the Executive Director, Dr. Uju Agomoh.

At Calabar Prisons, the seminar held at the prison chapel with the public address system connected to the cell blocks in the prison yard. The Prison Chaplain, Barr. William Awam gave the welcome address while making necessary introductions.

PRAWA program officer, Pharm. Nonso Maduka delivered the lecture on illicit drugs and drug abuse, highlighting the social, health and economical dangers of drug abuse with specific interest in alcohol, cigarette and marijuana. He talked about the ramified implications of taking these drugs saying that it is a gateway to crime and addiction to higher classes of illicit drugs.

At the end of his lectures, 128 out of the 702 in attendance made a commitment to quit drugs.
This drug campaign was carried out in other prisons located at Adim and Obubura on the 3rd of July and Ikom, Obudu, and Ogoja on the 4th with more than half of the inmates who were in attendance making a commitment to quit smoking.

The illicit drug campaign was a monumental success. Two weeks after the seminar, reports were sent to PRAWA from one of the prisons about a certain inmate who was a notorious drug addict, who now, is leading a crusade of no smoking in his cell block.