The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Kwara State Command, has sounded the alarm over the alarming surge in drug abuse among youths in the state. At the inaugural Kwara stakeholders summit on drug abuse prevention and control held in Ilorin, experts convened under the theme, “Forging a Common Front in the Fight Against Drug Abuse.”

Addressing attendees, Mohammed Bashir Ibrahim, the state NDLEA commander, expressed grave concern over the escalating rate of drug abuse. 

He disclosed, “In 2023, our men seized 1.8 tons of banned substances, a troubling indication of the severity of the issue.”*

Ibrahim emphasized the imperative of collaborative efforts to combat the scourge, particularly highlighting the concerning prevalence in Kwara State and Nigeria at large.

Acknowledging Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s support, Ibrahim affirmed the agency’s commitment to bolstering educational, enforcement, and rehabilitation programs to mitigate drug addiction’s grip on the populace. 

He announced plans to train community and religious leaders to enhance grassroots interventions.

Dr. Martins Agwogie, Executive Director of the Global Initiative on Substance Abuse, underscored the unintended consequences of blanket substance bans. 

He revealed disturbing trends wherein drug addicts resort to macabre measures, including scavenging cemeteries for bone fragments from exhumed corpses. 

Agwogie criticized the lack of nuance in drug policies and advocated for a balanced approach considering medical necessities while combatting abuse.

Lamenting Nigeria’s global standing as one of the highest drug-consuming nations, Agwogie commended NDLEA and NAFDAC’s efforts. 

“All states have drug abuse control committees in their local governments. They should strengthen them and stop over-reliance on law enforcement agencies,” he said.

Ms. Rinsola Abiola, Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, urged for expanded rehabilitation facilities and solicited increased cooperation from state governments, including Kwara State, in combating drug abuse.

The summit concluded with a call to action for intensified efforts at all levels to curb drug abuse’s detrimental effects on society.