Story by Springnewsng | June 27, 2025

On the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse, Nigerian health experts have raised the alarm over the alarming rise in substance abuse among young people, warning that the crisis is eroding the fabric of society.

With the 2025 theme, “Breaking the Chain: Prevention, Treatment, Recovery,” experts called for urgent and collaborative action to reverse the dangerous trend.

According to a United Nations report on drugs and crime in Nigeria, approximately 14.4 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 were affected by drug abuse as far back as 2018, and the situation has only worsened since then. A more recent study by John Olarewaju published in the International Journal of Medical Research estimated that 30 to 35 million Nigerians spend between $15,000 and $30,000 annually on psychotropic substances and alcoholic drinks.

This spending represents not only a major public health threat but also a heavy economic burden, experts say.

Health professionals have linked the growing crisis to peer pressure, stigmatization of users, and the high cost of treatment. They warn that without significant interventions, Nigeria risks losing a generation to addiction and mental health decline.

Dr. Taiwo Obindo, President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), described the trend as deeply troubling.

“The prevalence of drug abuse in Nigeria is alarming. If this trend is not checked, our country may face a future where the next generation is too damaged to contribute meaningfully,” Obindo said.

He also noted that children as young as those in primary school are now being exposed to drug abuse—an indication that peer influence is becoming stronger at even earlier ages.

Similarly, Aniedi Akpan, Chairman of the Drug Harm Reduction and Advocacy Network (DHRAN), expressed worry about the increasing number of Nigerians, especially youths, engaging in drug abuse annually.

“The situation is truly frightening,” Akpan said. “There’s also a worrying rise in injection drug use, which poses new health risks, including HIV and hepatitis transmission.”

Experts are calling on government agencies, communities, religious institutions, and schools to collaborate in creating awareness, reducing stigma, and providing accessible rehabilitation services.

They stressed that unless society acts swiftly and collectively, Nigeria could face a future crisis of addiction, broken homes, and a weakened workforce.