The Nationwide Drug Legislation Enforcement Company (NDLEA) has issued a agency warning that alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine are potential “gateway” substances resulting in drug abuse amongst Nigerian youth.
A Chief Superintendent of narcotics on the NDLEA, Ugochukwu Emeka, gave this warning on Tuesday at an occasion organised by the Abuja Municipal Space Council (AMAC) and Mathias Aliu, councillor representing Wuse ward.
He defined that whereas these substances are extensively accepted in society, their misuse usually initiates a path towards extra harmful drug dependencies.
He pressured that even minor substance abuse—beginning with what could seem innocent like alcohol or caffeine—can progressively result in a reliance on extremely addictive and dangerous medicine.
He stated: “Caffeine is appropriate. Nicotine is appropriate in society, however hear me out, they’re the beginning factors. These socially acceptable medicine are divided into three, they’re alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine.
“Let me inform you, alcohol is a drug; the WHO, Google it, yearly it [substances] takes three million deaths, 2.6 million is alcohol whereas 0.6 is different medicine. Alcohol is a depressant. It depresses your central nervous system. It’s the place to begin of each depressant.
“We’re speaking in regards to the gateway medicine, we should avoid the gateway medicine”.
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Survey confirms declare
This concern aligns with the findings of worldwide companies on substance abuse in Nigeria.
A joint survey by Nigeria’s authorities, the European Union, and the United Nations Workplace on Medication and Crime (UNODC) revealed an alarmingly excessive prevalence of drug use within the nation, with 14.4 per cent of Nigerians aged 15 to 64 reporting drug use up to now yr—almost thrice the worldwide common of 5.6 per cent.
Hashish stays probably the most ceaselessly used drug, with opioids, together with prescribed drugs like tramadol, following intently behind. These substances are extensively out there, notably in city centres, the place they’re usually considered as coping mechanisms amid financial hardship and social instability.
The World Well being Organisation (WHO) additionally highlights that alcohol alone accounts for round three million deaths globally every year.
In Nigeria, as in lots of growing nations, youth are more and more uncovered to those “socially acceptable” medicine resulting from low enforcement and excessive accessibility.
READ ALSO: NAFDAC launches marketing campaign to fight drug abuse in faculties
Group leaders converse
On the occasion, neighborhood leaders echoed these warnings as properly.
Nasir Usman, AMAC’s vice-chairman, described drug abuse as a “complicated problem” affecting not solely people however whole communities.
He highlighted the necessity for residents to interact actively in preventive efforts, stressing that drug habit’s ripple results are felt throughout all societal ranges, from public well being burdens to misplaced productiveness and security considerations.
“Everybody seated right here has a key function to play. When you have a good friend who’s a person, it’s best to assist them and counsel them. Drug abuse is quick spreading, allow us to do every thing to maintain our streets protected,” he stated.
The councillor representing Wuse ward, Mathias Aliu, additionally known as the marketing campaign a “name to motion,” urging dad and mom, educators, and native leaders to bolster drug abuse prevention and encourage more healthy way of life selections amongst youths.
“We have now misplaced nice lives to drug habit. I would like us to work in the direction of having a future not depending on medicine,” he stated.
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