NDLEA Raises Concern Over Increasing Youth Drug Abuse

The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd), has raised alarm over the increasing prevalence of drug abuse among Nigerian youths, particularly those aged 15 to 29....CONTINUE READING>>>

Speaking at a two-day Drug Prevention and Treatment Care (DPTC) training for public school teachers in Ilorin, Kwara State, Marwa, represented by Mohammed Bashir Ibrahim, Deputy Director of Drug Demand Reduction, highlighted the severity of the crisis.

Citing the 2018 National Drug Use Survey by UNODC, Marwa revealed that 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 had used drugs in the preceding year—almost three times the global average. He noted that 1 in 5 drug users in Nigeria suffers from drug use disorders requiring treatment.

Marwa expressed concern over the growing exposure to substances like cannabis, codeine, and synthetic drugs within schools, stating that these environments, meant to foster learning, are increasingly becoming hubs for drug experimentation. He urged teachers to act as frontline observers and intervene early to prevent substance misuse among students.

The NDLEA, he said, has ramped up efforts in enforcement, education, and rehabilitation to combat the issue. He commended the Kwara State Government and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for their proactive measures, including the training programme and the adoption of a comprehensive policy to curb drug abuse in schools and communities.

Governor AbdulRazaq’s Special Assistant on Drug Abuse Prevention, Aileru Mukail, described the initiative as part of the administration’s commitment to addressing substance abuse and safeguarding the future of Kwara’s youth.