NDLEA says 14m Nigerians abuse drugs, secondary school students most affected

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says about 14 million Nigerians are estimated to be involved in the abuse of harmful drugs.

Speaking during an awareness programme organised by the Oijefon Youth Council for secondary schools in Ile Oluji/Oke-Igbo LGA of Ondo state, on Wednesday, Yetunde Joyifous, deputy commander of the NDLEA, said addressing the menace of drug abuse requires community-wide collaboration.

Joyifous said the most commonly abused substances are chemical drugs that negatively alter the minds of users.

“The only way to curb this menace is to engage all stakeholders in the community to partner with the authorities in the fight against the dangerous business,” she said.

She noted that secondary school students are the most affected and called for intensified efforts to protect them from drug abuse.

Adedokun Adeyonu, president of the Oijefon Youth Council, said the programme was organised to discourage youths from drug abuse.

“Drug abuse means using harmful substances like alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs in a way that harms your body and mind,” Adeyonu said.

He attributed drug use among young people to curiosity, peer pressure, and the desire to escape life’s challenges.

He also noted that exposure to some movies and music could influence drug abuse.

The event was attended by secondary school students in Ile Oluji and representatives of the National Orientation Agency (NOA).