Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has attributed economic hardship and unemployment to the rise in drug addiction, particularly among young people.
In a statement on X.com on Wednesday, commemorating the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Obi highlighted the impact of these socio-economic issues.
His statement read, “For a predominantly youthful population, Nigeria, where poverty and unemployment are on the increase, the incidence of drug abuse remains high. Economic hardship and other poor socio-economic factors have been identified as the leading factors fueling drug abuse among our youth.”
Citing reports from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Obi warned that without urgent action, Nigeria could see a significant increase in drug users.
“A report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) states that Nigeria and some African countries will witness a 40 percent rise in the population of drug users, especially the youth population, if urgent measures are not taken,” he added.
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Obi urged the Federal Government to intensify its fight against drug abuse by implementing severe punishments for drug traffickers.
He pointed out that the NDLEA reports about 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15-64 years abuse drugs, and the National Bureau of Statistics reports a 14.4 percent drug prevalence in Nigeria, which is twice the global average of 5.8 percent.
He called for government investment in the rehabilitation of those struggling with drug addiction and stricter penalties for traffickers.
“The government should invest in rehabilitating those already caught in the web of drug abuse and stringent punishment meted out to drug traffickers. Drugs and substance abuse have contributed to high rates of crime, moral decadence in society, and other associated health hazards. It also greatly dampens the productivity of people, especially the youth population,” Obi stated.
Obi emphasized the need to save the nation from the menace of drug abuse and illicit trafficking, urging more efforts to prevent its spread.
On Tuesday, Saving Point Media reported that the NDLEA described drug abuse in the country as a ticking bomb that all stakeholders must fight extensively.
The agency noted that drug abuse and addiction are prevalent not only among street and common people but also among very important persons (VIPs) in the country.
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