About Odavfrees
The Organization for Drug Abuse & Violence Free Society works to create safer communities by confronting substance abuse and violence through awareness, prevention and sustained engagement.
Confronting what threatens young futures
Drug abuse and violence rarely announce themselves. They begin quietly, with a missed warning, a normalised habit, a community that has stopped expecting better. Odavfrees exists to interrupt that early, with information people can act on and conversations people are willing to have.
Our public messaging emphasises listening to young people early, speaking clearly about the dangers of hard drugs, and promoting a future where individuals and communities can thrive without abuse and violence.
“Sensitizing the society about the imminent dangers inherent in the abuse of drugs.”
Our own description, as published on our Facebook page, with 282 followers and counting.
- Education that is honest about risk, without shaming young people
- Outreach that meets people where they already are: schools, streets and online
- Advocacy that keeps drug abuse and violence on the public agenda
Mission, vision and values
Our mission
To advance anti-drug and anti-violence advocacy by educating the public, encouraging healthy choices and mobilising people around practical social change.
Our vision
A society where drug abuse and violence no longer limit what young people can become, and where communities are safe, healthy and hopeful.
Our values
Respect for young people, honesty about risk, community participation, and consistency, showing up long after the campaign banners come down.
The people behind the work
A small, steady team carries this work from school halls to community streets and, now, to the rehabilitation centre.
Comrade William A. Ohuizu
Executive Director
Leads the vision from the first outreach in Aba in 2010 to the rehabilitation centre in Ideato South today, and fronts the ODAVFREES TV advocacy sessions.
Comrade Stephen Unachu
Administrator
Runs day to day administration, correspondence and records across the Owerri office and the Nwabosi centre, and keeps partner agreements moving.
The Programme Director
Programmes
Plans and delivers the school campaigns, community walks, seminars and partner programmes you see in our gallery and video highlights.
From a vision in 2009 to a rehabilitation centre
The vision of Odavfrees began in 2009 as an NGO with one intention: bring the needed orientation on the effects of illicit drugs, and achieve a violence-free society. Our first official programme took place on 18 June 2010 at York, Aba, Abia State.
- 2009: the vision beginsODAVFREES is conceived as a non-governmental organisation against drug abuse and violence.
- 2010: first programme, York AbaSensitising drug addicts in the hideout popularly known as “York” in central Aba.
- 2014: Umuobom clan seminar and crisis interventionYouth seminar across four autonomous communities, and securing the release of 14 Umuobom youths from prison, bringing peace to the community.
- 2015: World Drug Day street campaignFlyers and stickers through the streets of Aba with NDLEA, NYSC and the Boys Brigade; plus the “Youth Watch” seminar and the Obom Clan summit.
- 2015: television talk showWith Modern Communication Limited and NTA channel 6 Aba, on illicit drugs, alcohol, violence and crisis.
- 2016: the “Shun Violence” seminarAt Giant Immaculate Secondary School, Aba, with NDLEA, the Military, Civil Defence and the Police as resource persons.
- 2017: Listen FirstThe therapeutic listening initiative at the NDLEA Complex, Aba, built on motivational interviewing.
- 2018: Teens & Drugs and the National Drug Policy SummitSchool programme at Our Lady of Lourdes, Aba, then the summit in Abuja with the West Africa Drug Policy Network.
- Today: the rehabilitation and training centreBack home in Imo State: the centre at Nwabosi, along Dikenafai-Ntueke Road, Ideato South L.G.A.
Who we collaborate with
- National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
- West Africa Drug Policy Network (WADPN), Nigeria Chapter
- Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA)
- National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP)
- World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO)
- National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN)
- Network Against Human Rights Abuse and Corrupt Practices (NHRACP)
- Human Rights, Justice and Peace Foundation (HRJPF)
- Abia Civil Society for Good Governance (ACSGG)
- Umu-Abia Youth Council, Abia State
- Abia State Control Committee
Four steps we follow
A simple approach that keeps our work grounded and repeatable.
Listen
Start with young people, parents and teachers: what is really happening in this community?
Educate
Share clear, practical information about drugs, violence and the alternatives available.
Mobilise
Bring schools, youth groups, leaders and families into the same conversation.
Sustain
Stay engaged, follow up and keep the message consistent over time.
How we present our work
We describe our activities honestly, credit our partners, and keep our public information current.
- Activities published on this site are drawn from our own updates and public information
- Partner organisations are acknowledged whenever we work together
- Photographs from events are added with the consent of those shown
- Enquiries and partnership requests receive a direct response from our team
Work with an organisation that starts early.
Whether you run a school, lead a youth body or simply want to help, there is a place for you in this work.