Innovative strategies, effective polices will curb persistent drug abuse—Consultant Psychiatrist
A Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Olumide Adegbokun, has called for innovative strategies and stringent policies to address the rising prevalence of substance abuse in the nation.
Adegbokun, who spoke to newsmen on Saturday warned that the country faced worsening security and public health challenges if urgent action were not taken.
The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed on June 26 each year to raise awareness about the global issue of drug abuse and the illicit drug trade.
According to Adegbokun, Nigeria’s drug abuse prevalence has continued to rise steadily since the 2018 National Drug Use Survey, which estimated prevalence at 14.4 per cent, compared with the global average of 5.5 per cent.
He said available data indicated the country’s prevalence had risen above 20 per cent by 2023, describing the trend as evidence that substance abuse remained a major national challenge.
“The 2018 drug use survey quoted 14.4 per cent prevalence for Nigeria, which was about three times the global prevalence of 5.5 per cent. By 2023, it had risen to over 20 per cent.
“Many of these crimes are driven by substance abuse because people under the influence are capable of committing acts they ordinarily would not do,” he said.
Adegbokun commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for intensifying enforcement activities, saying the agency had recorded unprecedented seizures, discoveries of illegal drug factories and arrests across the country.
Adegbokun, who works at the Alimosho General Hospital, cited recent discoveries of illegal drug production sites in forests and other locations as evidence that criminal networks involved in drug trafficking remained active.
“I don’t think NDLEA has done this much in the last five years put together before now. The discoveries and seizures show that the challenge is still enormous,” he said.
The psychiatrist urged government to study countries with low drugs abuse prevalence like Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Indonesia, to identify effective control measures adaptable to Nigeria.
” Some countries over the years have maintained drug abuse prevalence below two per cent through strict enforcement and uncompromising policies against illicit drugs.
According to him, the country must adopt measures to reduce access to illicit substances while strengthening prevention programmes.
“Reducing the availability of drugs remain one of the most effective ways to curb abuse.
“If substances are not readily available, people will not have easy access to them. Availability drives accessibility,” he said.
He also called for stricter regulation of alcohol sales, arguing that excessive exposure to alcohol often served as a gateway to more dangerous psychoactive substances.
According to him, alcohol tolerance can gradually push users to seek stronger substances to achieve the same effect.
He recalled the regulatory efforts by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to restrict alcohol sales, saying such measures deserved stronger public support.
“I support what NAFDAC tried to do. If we are serious about winning the war against drug abuse, we must tackle availability, accessibility and affordability,” he said.
Adegbokun suggested that alcohol sales should be restricted to designated outlets instead of allowing unrestricted street-level availability, saying tighter controls would reduce exposure, particularly among young people.
He maintained that comprehensive prevention policies, stronger enforcement and improved public education remained essential to reversing the country’s persistent substance abuse burden.
The consultant identified family stability as a key factor in preventing substance abuse, stressing that a breakdown in the home often exposes children to addiction.
Adegbokun said the family remained the primary unit of socialisation, where children first learnt values, discipline and acceptable behaviour before interacting with the wider society.
He noted that parents were children’s first teachers, caregivers and role models, warning that unresolved conflicts or separation within the family could leave lasting emotional trauma on young people.
According to him, when the primary socialisation process fails, children often seek acceptance and guidance from peers or external influences, increasing their vulnerability to drug abuse and other risky behaviours.
“We must be intentional as parents, money cannot not replace a parent’s presence, emotional support and consistent family interaction is essential in raising healthy children.
The psychiatrist also called for policies that would reduce the availability, accessibility and affordability of illicit drugs while strengthening family systems.
“You cannot solve a problem without first understanding its cause
“Once we address the causes through stronger family structures and effective drug control policies, Nigeria persistent drug abuse will reduce drastically.
