On Monday, Bamidele Amos, the NDLEA commander in Zamfara, expressed concern over increasing drug abuse among youths, revealing that more than 14 million Nigerians engage in substance abuse regularly.
Mr Amos stated this at an event organised by the NDLEA Zamfara command to mark the 2023 World Drug Day held in Gusau.
The NDLEA commander said, “As stakeholders, we must join hands to work against the evil act. As of 2021, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported that Nigeria has 14.3 million people between the ages of 15 and 64 abusing drugs.”
He added, “I believe as of now, in 2023, if we take another statistics, it will be higher than it was in 2021. Nigeria as a nation cannot allow things to continue that way.”
The anti-narcotics commander listed the consequences of drug abuse among youths, including cultism, anti-social behaviours, mental health challenges, crime and criminal activities.
“We need to sensitise people. We need to do advocacy to engage all stakeholders to educate the general public about drug abuse so that we cut down on the rate and its consequences in society,” said Mr Amos.
According to him, the agency is ready to partner with all stakeholders in a war against drug abuse, adding, “We are trying to maintain a balanced approach to the drug war.”
Sani Halliru, the state president of the National Association of Patent and Practitioners Medicines (NAPPMED), said drug abuse was inimical to societal growth and development as drug abusers become mentally and medically handicapped.
Mr Halliru assured that the association would maintain its position as a partner of NDLEA and all relevant stakeholders in ensuring a drug abuse-free society.
The representative of Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau, Kamal Isah, advised against self-medication among members of the public.
Mr Isah noted that taking drugs without a doctor’s prescription harmed one’s health.
Among the dignitaries who attended the event were officials from NAPPMED, health workers, security agencies, NGOs, CSOs and the media.
(NAN)
