The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) has raised alarm over the rising tide of drug and substance abuse among Nigerian youth, describing the situation as a national emergency that demands urgent and coordinated action across the country.
A statement signed by Director General of SABMF, Engr. Abubakar Gambo Umar, on Monday, said the Foundation made its position known during its March edition of the Monthly Virtual Mentorship Programme, where a presentation titled “Drugs and Substance Abuse Among Youth: Socio-Economic Implications on the Society” was delivered by Dr. Muhammad Kasim of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.
Drawing from data by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the presentation revealed that Nigeria’s drug use prevalence stands at 14.4 per cent, representing about 14.3 million people, with a significant proportion being young persons. The Foundation stressed that the scale of the problem poses a serious threat to national development.
SABMF noted that the increasing availability and use of both conventional and synthetic substances among youths are fueling public health concerns and weakening socio-economic structures. It warned that the consequences are already evident in rising addiction rates, mental health challenges, growing pressure on healthcare systems, declining productivity, and increasing crime, alongside a steady erosion of educational outcomes and family stability.
READ ALSO:SABMF flays rising Boko Haram attacks on military, urges support for security agencies
The Foundation expressed particular concern about Northern Nigeria, where socio-economic realities such as poverty, unemployment, and low school enrolment have made many young people more vulnerable to substance abuse. It added that the situation is further complicated by the spread and normalization of locally compounded and synthetic drugs.
While calling for a nationwide response, SABMF urged stakeholders to prioritise preventive education by integrating drug awareness into school curricula and expanding community-based sensitisation efforts. It also advocated for improved access to treatment and rehabilitation services, including the integration of mental health support into primary healthcare systems.
The Foundation further called for strengthened institutional capacity, especially for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), alongside tighter regulation of pharmaceutical distribution and enhanced coordination among security agencies.
It stressed the need for youth-focused economic interventions, including skills acquisition, job creation, and entrepreneurship programmes, as well as broader efforts to tackle poverty and expand access to quality education in vulnerable communities.
SABMF emphasised that effective policymaking must be driven by reliable data, research, and continuous monitoring to ensure that resources are deployed efficiently and interventions yield measurable results.
Reiterating the urgency of the situation, the Foundation said drug abuse among young people has far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s future stability and growth, calling on government, civil society, families, and community leaders to work together in confronting the crisis.
“The Foundation reiterates that drug abuse among youth represents a developmental emergency with far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s future stability, security, and economic growth. It therefore calls on all stakeholders, including government at all levels, civil society organizations, educational institutions, families, religious and traditional leaders, and development partners, to work collaboratively in addressing the crisis,” the statement added.
Post A Comment: