NDLEA Raises Alarm Over 10.6 Million Cannabis Users in Nigeria
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a stark warning about the escalating rate of cannabis consumption across Nigeria, disclosing that an estimated 10.6 million individuals are currently using the substance nationwide. The anti-narcotics body emphasized that this growing trend presents severe public health and security challenges, calling for immediate and coordinated action to address the crisis.
Chairman Buba Marwa Addresses Students at University Convocation
Mohammed Buba Marwa, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, delivered this cautionary message during a Drug Awareness and Sensitisation Lecture at the combined 29th and 30th convocation ceremony of Yakubu Gowon University in Abuja. Speaking on the theme, "High Today, Low Tomorrow: The Real Cost of Drug Abuse on Campus", Marwa urged Nigerian students to steer clear of drug abuse, highlighting that a fleeting moment of intoxication could irrevocably damage their futures.
He praised the graduating students for their academic accomplishments, noting that convocation is not only a celebration of hard work and success but also a pivotal moment for introspection regarding future choices and life directions.
Alarming Statistics and Evolving Drug Landscape
Marwa referenced data from the 2018 National Drug Use and Health Survey, which indicated that Nigeria's drug use prevalence stands at 14.4 percent, nearly triple the global average. He expressed concern over the shifting drug landscape, which has moved beyond traditional substances like cannabis to include a complex array of synthetic opioids and designer drugs such as Colorado, Loud, and Methamphetamine.
The NDLEA boss also pointed to the troubling use of social networks for drug distribution and the involvement of students in trafficking activities. He underscored a correlation between the glorification of intoxication in media and the actual substance abuse among youth, citing the 2018 survey as a revealing insight into the non-medical use of psychoactive substances by Nigerians aged 15 to 64.
Call for Enhanced Campus Surveillance and Education
In his concluding remarks, Marwa commended the University of Abuja's leadership for their collaborative efforts with NDLEA in strengthening campus surveillance. He urged all academic institutions to intensify drug education initiatives during orientation programs and within lecture halls, emphasizing the critical role of prevention in combating this pervasive issue.
