Drug use has been long standing in Nigeria. The extent of its degeneration over the years was only revealed on January 29 in the result of the first-ever national drug survey conducted by the Federal Government, in conjunction with the European Union and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The survey revealed that 14.3 million Nigerians, aged between 15 and 64, had used a drug other than tobacco and alcohol in 2018.
The significance of the figure is huge, because, while the global average rating is five per cent, Nigeria has an unenviable 15 per cent record.
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Cannabis (Indian hemp) was the most commonly consumed with 10.6 million of the 14.3 million people reported to have smoked the weed last year.
Other drugs used for non-medical purposes are Tramadol, codeine, morphine and cough syrups. These are popular among ordinary citizens due to their affordability, while the elite use more expensive substances, including cocaine, heroine and amphetamines.
The survey revealed a worrisome situation, with serious implications for the drug users, other Nigerians and the socio-economic wellbeing of the nation.
Some of the implications were already identified, as the survey findings showed that two-thirds of people, who used drugs reported having serious problems, such as missing school or work, doing a poor job at work/school or neglecting their family or children.
But far more dangerous is the propensity for criminal behaviours. According to the report, nearly a quarter of the high-risk drug users had been arrested for a drug-related offence, including possession of drugs (73 per cent), theft (12 per cent), sex work (five per cent) burglary (four per cent) and shoplifting (two per cent).
The survey did not reflect drug use impact on national crises, such as religious terrorism, banditry and kidnapping raging in many parts of the country. However, the relation between these and substance abuse may not be far-fetched.
The report, however, showed that nearly one in eight Nigerian adults had been a victim of a drug abuser in the past.
Beyond the figures, the reality of drug abuse in the country is gloomy and worrisome. Indian hemp is smoked in street corners in many parts of the country day and night. Shockingly, public school buildings or premises are often used as the smokers’ ‘joints’ without regard for the impact on the school children. Stadiums and other public buildings also serve as meeting points for the drug users, just as certain streets and areas in different parts of the country are notorious for drug use.
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Indian hemp smoking is also a pastime among bus drivers and other road transport workers, artisans, land grabbers and even law enforcement agents.
Nigeria has moved from being a drug courier nation of the 1980s to an active user status, but, unfortunately, many citizens are oblivious of the danger the users pose to the society.
We urge the Federal Government to declare an emergency on drug abuse now and fashion out a national plan to curb the menace.
There is a need to assess the performance of agencies, such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and ensure that they are adequately equipped to make the necessary impact.
It is necessary to take a stock of existing facilities for treatment of addicts and to build new ones to cope with the rising effects of drug abuse.
The government must also involve the state and local governments, community development associations as well as religious and traditional leaders to make the plan more effective and successful.
Furthermore, as drug abuse has harmful implications on the human resource of any nation, the government must strive to get more Nigerians gainfully engaged to prevent more and more from slipping into poverty and the recourse to a life of drugs in their craving for belonging.