The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired General Buba Marwa, alongside other experts, has warned of a worsening substance abuse crisis in Nigeria, urging the Federal Government to declare a national emergency to address the growing social threat.
The warning was issued at the weekend in Abuja during the third edition of the “Fly Above the High” conference, an event organised to raise awareness and mobilise coordinated action against drug abuse in the country.
Represented by the NDLEA FCT Strategic Commander, Julius Dzer, Marwa described substance abuse as a deeply destabilising issue with wide-ranging consequences for individuals, families, communities, and national development.
According to him, drug abuse not only damages the brain but also undermines productivity and weakens society as a whole.
“Substance abuse affects our brains and also how difficult it is to come out of it. It erases advancement for the youth. It affects the families, and it affects the society,” Marwa said.
He added that the impact extends to national development and security.
“It affects personal development.
”It affects societal development. It affects the economy. It affects the security of the country,” he said.
Marwa also issued a strong warning to young people, urging them to avoid experimenting with drugs altogether.
“Don’t attempt to experiment. Don’t attempt to start it. It holds no good for anyone,” he cautioned.
Also speaking at the event, President of the Recovery Advocacy Network, Dr. Adekunle Adesina, called for a coordinated national emergency response that would bring together key institutions, including the Ministries of Health and Education, alongside the NDLEA.
He stressed the importance of early intervention, saying prevention efforts should begin before young people are exposed to drugs.
Adesina recommended the introduction of structured drug education into school curricula for children between the ages of eight and 10, arguing that early awareness is critical to prevention.
He also called for increased investment in counselling services, noting that early support significantly reduces long-term social and economic consequences.
“Early investment saves both lives and resources,” he said.
Adesina further urged tighter regulation of prescription drugs and stronger control of commonly abused substances such as codeine and tramadol.
Beyond policy measures, he advocated for a shift in public perception, calling for substance dependence to be treated as a medical condition rather than a moral failing.
He also highlighted the role of faith-based organisations, community leaders, and the media in reshaping public attitudes and providing support systems for affected individuals.
According to him, frontline workers such as healthcare providers, school counsellors, and religious leaders should be trained to identify early signs of addiction and guide affected persons toward treatment.
He also called on parents to engage more actively with their children, stressing that conversations about drugs and peer pressure should begin early, while drug testing should be approached as a preventive measure rather than punishment.
Former President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Hajiya Salamatu Farouq Yahaya, also emphasised the importance of family support in recovery efforts.
She said individuals struggling with drug abuse are more likely to recover in environments that promote empathy, patience, and consistency.
Yahaya warned against stigma and harsh treatment, describing them as counterproductive.
“Families should realise that drug abuse is a disease, and the way out lies in support, counselling and avoiding stigmatisation,” she said.
She added that emotional and psychological support remain essential to helping affected individuals rebuild their lives.
Another expert, Dr. Samuel Abah, called for stronger enforcement of regulations, expanded rehabilitation services, and sustained public awareness campaigns to complement prevention efforts.
Stakeholders at the conference agreed that while enforcement remains important in curbing drug supply and demand, it alone is insufficient to address the scale of the crisis without broader social, medical, and educational interventions.
