Drug abuse worsening among youths, foundation raises the alarm

The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation has expressed concern over the rising rate of drug and substance abuse among Nigerian youths, warning that the situation has assumed the dimension of a national emergency.

The Foundation said the trend, if not urgently addressed, could undermine the country’s socio-economic stability and future development.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Director-General of the Foundation, Abubakar Umar,
on Monday, following its March edition of the Monthly Virtual Mentorship Programme, where experts examined the growing menace and its implications on society.

Drug abuse is the use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be used, or in excessive amounts.

Drug abuse may lead to social, physical, emotional, and job-related problems.

Speaking during the session, Muhammad Kasim, who delivered a presentation titled “Drugs and Substance Abuse Among Youth: Socio-Economic Implications on the Society,” cited alarming statistics on drug use in Nigeria.

According to him, data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime shows that Nigeria has a drug use prevalence rate of 14.4 per cent, representing about 14.3 million people.

He noted that young people constitute a significant proportion of those affected, making the issue a major concern for national development.

“The scale of drug use in Nigeria is deeply worrying, particularly because a large percentage of those affected are youths who should be at the peak of their productivity,” Kasim said.

The foundation warned that the increasing availability and consumption of both conventional and synthetic drugs among youths pose serious threats to public health, economic productivity, national security, and social stability.

It listed the consequences to include rising cases of addiction and mental health disorders, increased pressure on healthcare systems, declining workforce productivity, higher crime rates and weakening family structures.

SABMF further observed that Northern Nigeria faces heightened vulnerability due to socio-economic challenges such as poverty, unemployment, low school enrolment, and the large population of out-of-school children.
“These conditions create a fertile ground for substance abuse, especially with the emergence and normalisation of more dangerous synthetic and locally compounded drugs,” the Foundation noted.

To tackle the menace, the organisation called for urgent, coordinated, and sustained action involving all stakeholders.

It recommended the integration of drug education into school curricula and the intensification of community-based awareness campaigns to promote behavioural change among youths.

The foundation also advocated the expansion of treatment and rehabilitation services, including improved access to affordable facilities and the integration of mental health services into primary healthcare systems nationwide.

In addition, it called for strengthening the capacity of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and enhancing collaboration among security and regulatory agencies to curb the proliferation of illicit substances.

SABMF stressed the need for increased investment in youth empowerment programmes such as skills acquisition, vocational training, and entrepreneurship development to address unemployment and reduce vulnerability to drug abuse.

It also urged the government to tackle underlying socio-economic drivers by improving access to quality education and creating opportunities for disadvantaged populations.

The Foundation emphasised the importance of data-driven policymaking, noting that effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks are critical to tackling the crisis.

“Drug abuse among youths is not just a health issue; it is a developmental emergency with far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s stability, security, and economic growth,” the statement added.

It, therefore, called on government at all levels, civil society organisations, families, religious and traditional leaders, as well as development partners to work together to address the challenge.

Umar reiterated the organisation’s commitment to sustained advocacy and youth-focused interventions, saying that “immediate, coordinated, and sustained action is imperative to avert a deeper national crisis.”