FOR THOSE HOOKED ON DRUGS  

All critical stakeholders should do more to stem drug abuse

As countries all over the world mark the 2023 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, it is important for stakeholders in Nigeria to pay more attention to the consequences of drug menace. Hard drugs, ranging from cannabis–often called Indian Hemp, to cocaine, heroin and amphetamines–are increasingly available on the street and abused by both the young and the old across the country. These are drugs that affect behaviour, mood, thoughts, and perception. Their abuse has also become a serious health challenge for the country. We therefore appeal to the regulatory authorities to help in tackling this menace that has implications both for the health of our people and national security.    

 In his message, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres pleads with all stakeholders to help drug abusers who “often face significant barriers to treatment and even health services for infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.” This year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Guterres believes should “focus on the need to put people first by ending stigma and discrimination and strengthening prevention. This means stressing rehabilitation, rather than punishment and incarceration for minor drug offences.”  

 It has long been established that Nigeria is a transit country for many illegal drugs, but lacks studies on the extent of drug abuse, the effects on health and disease conditions in the population. Not too long ago, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as well as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) called for the strengthening of legislations and an aggressive public education in the war against illicit drugs in the country. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also repeatedly warned that the growing abuse of Tramadol by many of our young people may lead to intoxication like other opioid analgesics with the consequence of the breakdown of central nervous system (CNS), depression, cardiovascular collapse, seizures, and up to respiratory arrest.      

 Hard drugs are essentially poisonous and cause serious problems for the user and the society at large. Statistics are hard to come by but there is a correlation between the abuse of drugs and organised crime. Indeed, many audacious crimes including vicious robberies and murders, raiding of banks, prisons, churches, and kidnappings, are said to be aided by drugs. Many homes, families, relationships and careers have been shattered by those who find it difficult to wean themselves of the drugs.  

 Meanwhile, Nigeria is one of the largest growers of cannabis in the West African sub-region. And because the weed is grown locally, it is easily available, cheap and therefore the most abused of the illegal drugs in the country. Hitherto, it used to be smoked in dark street corners and hide-outs. Not any more as the habit seems to be spreading, particularly among the youths who openly wrap the substance sometimes called “pot” and puff away – at car wash spots, at parks, on the street – anywhere, to get “stoned” and sometimes with even law enforcement agents looking away.  

 Tackling the problem is a task for everyone. The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) must be diligent in regulatory compliance while the Nigerian Customs Service (NSC) which is obsessed with generating revenue should be more proactive in checkmating the activities of importers of these drugs into the country. There is also a need to review our value system, particularly at home and in schools. Parents have the obligation to discreetly vet the kind of company their children keep as a safeguard from being introduced to drugs and crimes. Over and above all, prevention remains the best cure.