Addressing the Menace of Substance/Drug Abuse through Urgent Policy Approach

Abstract

As of January 2025, approximately 14.3 million Nigerians, or 14.4% of the population aged 15 to 64, are involved in drug abuse, significantly exceeding the global average of 5.5%. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reports that over 10 million individuals use cannabis, which remains the most commonly abused substance in Nigeria. Alarmingly, one in four drug users is a woman, indicating a rising trend in female involvement in substance abuse. The prevalence of drug abuse is compounded by various socio-economic factors, including poverty and unemployment, which drive individuals to seek escape through substances. A concerning statistic reveals that 33% of drug users in Lagos State are primarily addicted to cannabis, while 16% of users in Kano State abuse opioids. Furthermore, the NDLEA has intensified efforts to combat this crisis by seizing over 7.6 kilograms of illicit drugs and arresting more than 50,000 individuals for drug-related offenses in recent years. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act serves as the cornerstone of Nigeria's drug control efforts, providing the legal basis for combating drug trafficking and abuse. However, despite this foundational legislation, significant gaps and weaknesses exist within the current legal framework. To remedy this, the following recommendations are made: i. Adopt a model to decriminalization of small quantities of drugs, redirecting individuals to treatment programs and harm reduction services to reduce stigma and improve public health outcomes, ii. Implement comprehensive regulations for the sale and distribution of prescription drugs, akin to Canada’s Cannabis Act, to prevent misuse while ensuring safe access for those in need, iii. Increase funding for law enforcement to combat drug trafficking while investing in community education programs that promote awareness and treatment options for substance use disorders.