Saving the Nigerian Future from the Jaws of Drug Crimes.

 By Ajayi Olajumoke and Oshinbolu Bisola



Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) came under attack on Saturday, February 26, 2022 in the course of carrying out the arrest of a suspected drug kingpin, Mrs Sherifat Lawal who was reportedly operating a notorious drug haven in the Patey Area of Lagos Island. 

Despite the onslaught of the mobilised hoodlums attacking operatives of the NDLEA with stones, bottles and even guns, the raid saw the successful arrest of the major suspect and  Six others, recovering  5,862 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs including Loud and Codeine.


This is one of the many stories of the raids of NDLEA that is now bringing to the fore of discussion the problem of drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria and how threatened the future of the next generation is.


A walk in Mushin, Bariga, Ajegulnle, Agege, Oshodi and many other areas in Lagos would paint a minor picture of how the misuse of drugs has caused great damage to the coming generation. Many youths of today regard education and other forms of legitimate survival like technical education and artisanship as a waste of time. They’d rather imbibe in criminal acts, and use the proceeds on their Codeine, Loud, Crack, Tramadol, Refnol, Colorado and some others to get high. 

 

Even the teenage youngsters aren’t left out of this fiasco. Yes, they are not!  They are the errand boys of this societal nuisance who in a matter of small time graduate into drug users and peddlers.


Most of the homeless children on the street who have no one to monitor them or take care of their needs turn these drug peddlers into their messiahs. They are being referred to with different levels of names. When you hear: Cappo, Baba Agbalagba, Agbalagbi, Eru iku 1, Number One and some other ill-sounding names, just know that they are the ones being referred to. 


Chairman of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa while speaking at a public lecture organised by United Action for Change (UAC) in Lagos 2021 said not less than 14.3 million Nigerians abuse drugs, with the south-west zone recording the highest prevalence. Declaring Lagos to be the epicentre of drug abuse he also recognised the high rate of it in Oyo state too.

 

The World Health Organisation, WHO describes substance abuse as the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. One of the key impacts of illicit drug use on society is the negative health consequences experienced by its members and it also puts a heavy financial burden on individuals, families and society.

According to research, a prevalence of 20–40 per cent and 20.9 per cent of drug abuse was reported among students and youths, respectively. Commonly abused drugs include cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, heroin, diazepam, codeine, cough syrup and tramadol. 


Common among undergraduates and secondary school students, youths, commercial bus drivers, farmers, and sex workers within the state, sources where these abusers obtain drugs, include pharmacies/patient medicine shops, open drug markets, drug hawkers, fellow drug abusers, friends, and drug pushers. 


The family, the society and the government need to work hand in hand to stop this cankerworm from eating deeper than it has already done. The damage that has been done should be mended. The masses need to be sensitized on the dangers of drug abuse and it’s effect on the society. Government should upgrade and actively implement laws against drug crimes and fund adequately the sectors in charge of making the sensitization of citizen and enforcement of laws to ensure due delivery of task to salvage what remains of the future generation.

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