NDLEA Lagos Command Set to Sensitise Women, Youth on Dangers of Illicit Drug Abuse, Prevention, Treatment 

Precious Ugwuzor

  The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA Lagos State Command, is planning to organise series of programs for women and youth across Lagos on illicit drug abuse, prevention, treatment, and care this year 2024.

The programs that are going to be in series and across locations are targeted at sensitising women and young people who are vulnerable to the menace of illicit drug use and abuse. 

According to ACN Mallum Musa, 

Assistant State Commander 

Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Lagos, this is the initiative of the new State Commander, NDLEA Lagos State Command, CN, Abubakar Liman Wali.

 He said: “The first of the series of events planned, which is coming up on Friday, January 19, 2024 at the Ilupeju area of Lagos, was borne out of the issues of drug abuse, which has rapidly become a significant public health concern in Lagos, particularly and Nigeria in general.

  “The widespread prevalence of illicit drugs and substance abuse is causing detrimental effects on our society, resulting in mental disorders,  addiction, loss of life, and numerous other hardships.”

Quoting the National Household Drug Use Survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics, Centre of Research and Information on Substance Abuse with Technical support from United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2018, he said an estimated 14.4 million individuals in Nigeria engaged in drug use/abuse which accounts for approximately 14.4 per cent of the population aged 15 to 65.

 He added, “the most commonly abused substances include: alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, tramadol, cough syrup with codeine and various local concoctions that have not yet been officially listed as controlled drugs or substance. 

 “Further analysis of the survey data reveals that approximately one in every seven Nigerians has used drugs within the past year. Additionally, it’s distressing to note that one out of every four drug user in Nigeria is a woman, and among the States, Lagos records the highest number of drug users.

  “These drugs have an impact on feelings, perceptions, thoughts, processes, and behaviours. However, the specific effects can vary depending on the types of substances. Some of the substances slow down the work of the central nervous system while some speed up the work of the CNS. 

“Others distort sensory perceptions of the users and can have an impact on the mood and thinking. As a result, mood, thought, and behaviour were all affected through the Central Nervous System and the brain. 

 “Misuse and abuse of those substances can lead to criminal and illegal behaviour, deficit in parental skills, child neglect, poverty, and other negative environmental influences.

” Other consequences include family disintegration, poor academic achievement, low job performance, and insecurities in our communities. 

 “Therefore, the family has a huge role to play in stemming the rate of drugs in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole. Our national development would greatly be impeded if our citizens are ravaged by the menace of illicit drugs and substance abuse. We are all aware that Health is Wealth. 

  “Health not only has direct impacts on human well-being but also is related to raising income levels through workers’  productivity, children’s education, savings and investments, as well as demographic structures.

” If the health of our nation is ravaged by drug use, we would not be able to actualise, realise,  and maximise our potential. If our health is compromised by drugs, our ability to contribute to the economic and social well-being of our nation will remain a dream, thereby hampering our collective national development.”