NAFDAC: 14.3m Nigerians abuse drugs

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has disclosed that about 14.3 million Nigerians are victims of drug abuse.

The NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this at the inaugural ceremony of the agency’s youth programme held at the Government Secondary School, Rumuokwuta in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

According to her, research findings show that one out of every four high-risk drug users has been arrested for drug-related offences.

Adeyeye said the arrest included 73 per cent for drug possession, 12 per cent for theft, five per cent for sex work, four per cent for burglary, and two per cent for shoplifting.

“Note that this data only shows the number of arrests; if we consider that most crimes are unreported, then we will see that we have a huge problem on hand,” she stated.

Adeyeye, however, noted the negative effects of drug abuse on families, society, and the nation’s socio-economic development.

Adeyeye explained that the situation caused NAFDAC to initiate a comprehensive, coordinated, and intensive programme, designed to reduce the prevalence of drug abuse among secondary school students.

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The NAFDAC boss added: “Drug addiction can rise from both legal such as prescribed medicines and illicit drugs.

“This programme is not designed to scare anyone but to have honest conversations with you.

“This will help you to make informed decisions with regards to illicit drug use, including alcohol consumption.”

Also speaking at the event, the NAFDAC Coordinator in Rivers State, Onogwu Emmanuel, stated the reason behind the sensitisation and capacity building programme being moved to secondary schools.

Emmanuel said the secondary students were most vulnerable, adding that the youths, as future leaders, should actively participate in preventing drug abuse.

He, however, stated that two schools were selected from each of the three senatorial zones of the state for the pilot phase of the project.

On her part, the Principal of the school, Gladys Iheumamme, commended NAFDAC for the project and urged the agency to sustain it to save the future of the Nigerian youths.

The Star