CABY Launches Drug Awareness Campaign Across Three Regions
The Cameroonian Association for the Betterment of Youths (CAbyYouths) has officially launched one of its most ambitious campaigns to date — a wide-reaching drug abuse awareness initiative spanning the North West, South West, and Centre regions of Cameroon.
The campaign, which kicked off in November 2024, has already reached over 800 young people through a series of community seminars, school visits, peer-to-peer counselling sessions, and public health dialogues held in Bamenda, Buea, and Yaoundé.
Why This Campaign Matters
Drug abuse among Cameroonian youth has risen sharply in recent years, with substances including cannabis, tramadol, and prescription drug misuse becoming increasingly prevalent in both urban and rural communities. CAbyYouths recognised the urgent need for a structured, evidence-based response that goes beyond awareness posters — one that engages young people directly, equips them with refusal skills, and connects at-risk individuals with counselling support.
"We are not here to lecture young people," said the CABY Programme Coordinator. "We are here to walk alongside them, to understand what drives risk behaviour, and to offer real alternatives — real hope."
Programme Components
The campaign operates across three pillars:
- School Outreach: Interactive sessions delivered in secondary schools and technical colleges, combining drama, testimonials from former users, and Q&A panels with healthcare professionals.
- Community Dialogues: Town hall-style conversations bringing together youth, parents, community leaders, and local health workers to collectively address the root causes of drug use.
- Peer Counsellor Training: 45 young volunteers trained as certified peer counsellors, equipped to identify warning signs and refer peers to professional support services.
Looking Ahead
Phase two of the campaign, planned for early 2025, will expand into the Littoral and West regions, with a digital component — including social media content, a helpline, and a youth-facing resource portal — being developed in partnership with the CAbyYouths Canada chapter.
To support this campaign or learn more about volunteering as a peer counsellor, visit our Volunteer page or contact us directly.
