The Youth And A “Drug-Riddled” Future

Recently, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa, revealed that over 69 per cent of the 77,859 drug offenders arrested in the past five years are young people, both male and female.

He noted that findings from the 2018 National Drug Use and Health Survey indicated widespread substance abuse among Nigerians aged 15 to 64, with initiation often beginning around the age of 19. Cases of experimentation among children below 15 are also emerging.

Similarly, the majority of the 48,836 drug users counselled and treated in NDLEA facilities within the same period were overwhelmingly young people.

While delivering the combined 29th and 30th convocation lecture at the University of Abuja, now Yakubu Gowon University, the NDLEA Chairman stated that substance abuse has evolved from a street-level problem into a growing crisis within academic environments.

He added that the drug landscape has shifted from traditional substances such as cannabis to synthetic opioids and designer drugs, including Colorado, Loud, and methamphetamine.

Although drug abuse among young people is a global phenomenon cutting across gender and age groups, the disproportionately high involvement of the youth is deeply troubling.

The term “hard drugs” typically refers to substances such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and the non-medical use of potent prescription opioids.

In Nigeria, concern has also grown over the misuse of substances such as tramadol and codeine-based syrups.

This newspaper recognises that drug abuse among Nigerian youths is not merely a personal failing or a criminal issue—it is a complex social crisis that undermines families, communities, and the nation’s future.

Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in the world, with people under 30 forming a clear majority.

Often described as a potential “demographic dividend”, this population should serve as a powerful engine for economic growth, innovation, and social transformation.

Sadly, that potential is increasingly threatened by the rising use of hard drugs.

Rising unemployment, peer pressure, weak social safety nets, inadequate mental health services, and the glamourisation of substance use on social media combine to make adolescents and young adults particularly vulnerable.

Marwa underscored this concern by highlighting the use of social media platforms for drug distribution and the growing involvement of students in trafficking.

In some cases, weak regulatory enforcement and the ready availability of illicit substances further exacerbate the problem.

One major fallout is Nigeria’s protracted and seemingly insurmountable security challenges, many of which are linked to drug use. Drug abuse is also associated with crimes such as theft, violence, and trafficking.

A significant number of arrested members of Boko Haram and ISWAP are young people, often in their twenties, underscoring the nexus between illicit drugs and criminal activity—an everyday reality plaguing the country.

This is all the more reason for the government to treat the drug problem with the seriousness it deserves.

While Nigeria’s youth population represents immense promise, the growing challenge of hard drug use poses a serious threat to that future.

The impact on individual health is immediate and severe. Instead of contributing to national development, affected individuals may struggle with dependency and long-term health complications.

Hard drug use can lead to addiction, mental health disorders, organ damage, and an increased risk of infectious diseases. For young people—many of whom are in their most productive years—this can permanently derail education, skills acquisition, and career development.

Beyond the individual, the social consequences are equally grave.

Economically, widespread drug use among youths undermines productivity and places additional strain on healthcare and law enforcement systems.

A country like Nigeria, which relies heavily on its youthful workforce, risks losing a significant portion of its human capital. This will not only slow economic progress but also deepen cycles of poverty and inequality.

To effectively reduce drug use, Nigeria requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral strategy that addresses root causes, strengthens prevention, expands treatment, and creates opportunities for young people to thrive. Tackling drug abuse is not a one-off campaign or solely a policing matter; it demands a holistic approach.

It requires a sustained, compassionate, and practical national effort—one that treats addiction as a public health and social issue; that provides education, opportunity, and support; and that equips young people with the tools and hope to choose healthier paths.

With political will, community engagement, and targeted investment, Nigeria can protect its most valuable resource—its young people—and secure a healthier, more prosperous future.