Foundation Raises Alarm Over Rising Drug Abuse Among Nigerian Youths
The Founder and President of ImeyrReach Foundation, Mr Oluwayemi Odubote, has decried the growing rate of drug abuse among Nigerian youths, calling for urgent and collective action to address the menace.
Odubote, a mental health advocate, made the call in an interview in Lagos on Tuesday. He warned that drug abuse poses devastating consequences, noting that it has destroyed the future of many young people.
According to him, prolonged drug use can lead to brain damage, organ failure, mental illness and, in severe cases, death. He added that beyond health implications, drug abuse affects emotional stability, daily performance and overall productivity.
Odubote linked substance abuse to rising cases of crime and violence, including armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, banditry and domestic violence. He also listed depression, kidney damage, cardiovascular disease, loss of concentration and drastic weight loss among its effects.
Describing the situation as worrisome, he said drug abuse could undermine national development by weakening the nation’s workforce, security and productivity.
He noted that many students involved in drugs often drop out of school, thereby jeopardising their academic and career prospects. On solutions, Odubote stressed the need for stronger parental involvement and emotional support.
He said young people with strong family ties are less likely to engage in risky behaviours, including substance abuse. He urged parents to monitor their children closely and build open relationships that would help detect early warning signs.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Adicare Rehabilitation Home, Mrs Veronica Ezeh, said education remains a critical tool in curbing drug abuse. She observed that many youths engage in drug use due to ignorance and peer pressure.
Ezeh recommended the integration of drug education into school curricula to enable students make informed decisions. She also called for tighter border security to curb the influx of illicit drugs.
According to her, governments at all levels must block loopholes that allow the circulation of illegal substances. Ezeh further urged greater investment in job creation, vocational training and entrepreneurship to reduce the idleness and frustration that often drive drug use among youths.
