BY AIDELOJE GIFT

Drug abuse among  youths is worsening, with one in seven Nigerians, from 15 to 64, profiled as drug user, three times the global average, experts have said.

A 2018 National Drug Use Survey by UN Office on Drugs and Crime in partnership with Federal Government reached this conclusion, and was part of discussions at a health talk, by RCCG, Zion Chapel, Lagos Province 57, at Ikeja.

The program: “Drugs and Substance Abuse: Any Hope for the Youth?”, brought together doctors, narcotics officers, and academics.

Medical Director of Brafus Specialist Hospital, Lagos, Dr. Charles Davies, who moderated the panel, said cannabis, tramadol, codeine-based cough syrups, rohypnol, cocaine, and methamphetamine are the most abused substances among young people.

“These drugs are cheap, easily accessible, and unfortunately glamourized by peers, entertainers, and social media. The consequence is that many, some barely teenagers, are deep in addiction,” he said.

Head of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology at College of Medicine, UNILAG, Dr. Henrietta Igbokwe, attributed the trend to peer pressure, lack of jobs, and untreated mental health challenges. “Young people experiment to belong. Others use drugs to escape depression, anxiety, or hopelessness, etc.,” she said.

Retired Assistant Commander of Narcotics at NDLEA, Dr. Wale Ige, said poor regulation and porous borders worsened the problem. “Despite government bans, codeine and tramadol are everywhere. Until enforcement is tightened, supply will overwhelm control.”

He said drug abuse drives crimes. “Cultism, robbery, kidnapping, domestic violence  have strong ties to drug use” .

Experts at the forum painted a bleak picture of the impact of drug abuse. Prolonged misuse, they said, leads to brain damage, organ failure, mental illness, and even death

An anesthetist at General Hospital, Gbagada, Yinka Anifowoshe, said: “Drug abuse is a silent destroyer. . If nothing is done, we can lose a generation.”

The panelists agreed that tackling drug abuse requires joint effort from families, schools, government, and communities.

They urged parents to monitor their children closely, while schools should integrate drug education into their curricula. They also stressed that government must create jobs, expand vocational training, and invest more in mental health and counselling services to reduce the hopelessness that drives many youths into drugs.

They further called for tighter border controls, stronger NDLEA operations, and sanctions against complicit officials, while emphasizing that rehabilitation and reintegration should take precedence over punishment.

Religious and community leaders, they added, must intensify awareness campaigns, even as young people themselves use music, art, and social media to spread anti-drug messages.

Convener of the program and pastor of RCCG Zion Chapel, Pastor Godfrey Iluobe, said the annual health talk, now in its ninth year, was designed to promote total human welfare.

“As Christians, we often emphasize spirituality while neglecting the body. This program enlightens people on how to care for their health so they can fulfil God’s purpose,” he said.

He disclosed that the church has also been reaching out to vulnerable youths in Oregun, some of whom were prayed for during the event.

“These boys had their destinies nearly destroyed by drugs. But we have been engaging them weekly with food, prayers, and fellowship. Some are now on the path of recovery,” he said.

The experts concluded that drug abuse is not merely a youth problem but a national emergency requiring collective action.

“Saving the youths means saving the future of Nigeria,” Dr. Igbokwe said.