NDLEA Warns Nigerian Youth on Drug Abuse

Mohammed Buba Marwa, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria===National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, delivered a public lecture at the University of Abuja's convocation ceremony, warning Nigerian youths about the devastating costs of drug abuse. Titled 'High Today, Lost Tomorrow: The Real Cost of Drug Abuse on Campus,' the lecture highlighted the shift from traditional substances to synthetic opioids and designer drugs, and the increasing use of social media for distribution. Marwa cited statistics from the 2018 National Drug Use and Health Survey, indicating a high prevalence of drug use among Nigerian youths, with over 60% of arrested drug offenders and individuals treated in Nigeria===National Drug Law Enforcement Agency facilities being young people. He stressed that drug-related convictions can ruin career prospects and linked substance abuse to cultism and campus violence. Marwa urged students to make responsible choices, emphasizing the need for a sober mind in an AI-powered and fintech-driven world. He called for collective action from all stakeholders to tackle the menace, commending the University of Abuja for its partnership in strengthening campus surveillance and advocating for intensified drug education.