The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd), on Wednesday raised concerns over the alarming prevalence of drug abuse among Nigerian youths, particularly those aged 15 to 29.
Speaking at a two-day drug prevention and treatment care training programme organised by the Kwara State Government for teachers of public secondary schools in Ilorin, Marwa highlighted the severity of the issue.
“According to the 2018 National Drug Use Survey conducted by the UNODC, an estimated 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 had used drugs in the preceding year. This figure is nearly three times the global average. Even more troubling is that 1 in 5 drug users in Nigeria suffers from drug use disorders and requires treatment.
“The prevalence of drug use among young people, especially those between 15 and 29 years old, is a growing concern,” he said.
Marwa, who was represented by the Deputy Director of Drug Demand Reduction at NDLEA headquarters, Mohammed Bashir Ibrahim, lamented that schools, which are supposed to serve as safe spaces for learning and development, are increasingly becoming environments where drug exposure and experimentation occur.
“Substances like cannabis, codeine, and emerging synthetic drugs are finding their way into the hands of students, with devastating effects on their health, academic performance, and future prospects.
“From traditional substances like cannabis and codeine to newer psychoactive drugs, the methods of exposure have diversified, making prevention even more challenging. As educators, you are often the first to notice behavioural changes signalling a child’s descent into substance use. Your intervention could be the turning point in a young person’s life,” he added.
Marwa stressed that the NDLEA remains unrelenting in its fight against drug abuse, noting, “Over the past few years, we have intensified efforts in enforcement, education, and rehabilitation.”
He commended educators for their crucial role in shaping young minds and lauded Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for organising the DPTC training programme for teachers.
Earlier, the Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control, Aileru Mukail, described the training programme as a testament to the visionary leadership of Governor AbdulRazaq in combating drug abuse.
Mukail also noted that the state government had approved a comprehensive policy to tackle drug abuse in schools and communities, alongside other measures aimed at discouraging substance misuse in the state.
SOURCE PUNCH NEWS
