The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA), Rtd Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa has raised the alarm over the prevalence of drug use among Nigerian youths, especially those between the ages of 15 and 29.
Marwa expressed these views in Ilorin, Kwara State, North Central Nigeria at a 2- day drug prevention and treatment care( DPTC) training organised by the Kwara State Government for teachers of public secondary schools in the state.
He added that the statistics on drug abuse in Nigeria are alarming and paint a sobering picture.
“According to the 2018 National Drug Use Survey conducted by the UNODC, an estimated 14.3 million Nigerians aged 1564 years had used drugs in the preceding year. This is almost three times the global average. What is 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, particularly those between the ages of 15 and 29, is a growing concern,” Marwa said.
Marwa who was represented by the Deputy Director, Drug Demand Reduction at the NDLEA headquarters, Abuja, Mohammed Bashir Ibrahim, lamented that schools, which are supposed to be safe spaces for learning and development, were increasingly becoming environments where drug exposure and experimentation occurred.
“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 substances like cannabis and codeine to newer psychoactive drugs, the methods of exposure have diversified, making prevention more challenging. As educators, you are often the first to notice the behavioral changes that signal a childs descent into substance use. Your intervention could very well be the turning point in a young persons life,” he added.
Marwa said the NDLEA has been unrelenting in its fight against drug and substance abuse, adding that, over the past few years, we have intensified efforts in the areas of enforcement, education, and rehabilitation.
While noting that educators play an indispensable role in shaping the minds and lives of children, Marwa commended the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for organising the DPTC training for them.
During her presentation on Drug Situation in Nigeria, the Commander of NDLEA Kwara State Command, Fatima Popoola informed the Teachers of the importance of Drug Education in schools.
She further stressed that the best people to educate students about drugs and its devastating effects are the Teachers.
According to her, the role of parents, religious leaders, and community stakeholders cannot be overstated.
“We must work together to reinforce positive values and provide safe spaces for young people to thrive.”
It is essential to strengthen the implementation of school-based drug prevention policies. Every school in Kwara State, and indeed across Nigeria, must prioritize the mental health and well-being of its students.
Let this training be the start of a long-term partnership between the Kwara State Government, the NDLEA, and educational institutions.
“Together, we can establish ongoing support systems, regular training programs, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure sustained progress.
“Let this training inspire you to become advocates for a drug-free school system, community, and state.”
She commended the Kwara State Government for its leadership in addressing this critical issue and for extending an invitation to the Agency to be part of this impactful initiative.
“Let us leave here today not just with new knowledge but with a renewed determination to create a drug-free Kwara State and, ultimately, a drug-free Nigeria,” the NDLEA Commander added.
Earlier, the Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control, Aileru Mukail, said that the training programme underscored the visionary leadership of Governor AbdulRazaq in the fight against drug abuse.
He disclosed that Governor AbdulRazaq has consistently demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the well-being of our youth.
According to him, the governor believes that investing in the young people is paramou
nt to the progress and prosperity of the state.
“Recognizing the devastating impact of drug abuse on our youth, the Governor has prioritized prevention efforts, ensuring that we address this issue proactively and comprehensively,” he explained further.
Mukail revealed that the state government has also approved a comprehensive policy to tackle drug abuse in the schools and communities.
According to him, the training programme is essentially a testament to Governor AbdulRazaq’s love for our young people by equipping the teachers with the knowledge, skills, and resources to identify and address drug abuse issues within the schools stressing that the government is taking a crucial step towards safeguarding the future of the children.
The Training on Drug Prevention Treatment and Care was organised by the Office of SSA to the Governor on Drugs on the 18th and 19th of December 2024 for Teachers of Public Schools in Kwara State.
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