Global drug crisis: Nigeria faces alarming rates of substance abuse
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking highlights a growing global crisis, with approximately 316 million people worldwide using illicit drugs and 64 million suffering from drug use disorders. This increase is attributed to population growth, expanding synthetic drug markets, and sophisticated trafficking networks. Cannabis remains the most consumed illicit substance, while cocaine production has reached record levels. Synthetic drugs like methamphetamine and pharmaceutical opioids are also prevalent, particularly in West and Central Africa. Nigeria faces a particularly severe situation, with 14.3 million Nigerians, or 14.4 percent of the population aged 15 to 64, involved in drug abuse, nearly three times the global average. Cannabis is the most abused drug in Nigeria, with over 10 million users. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA seized drugs worth N134.2 billion in 2024, including a significant methamphetamine haul valued at $362.92 million N480 billion. A disturbing trend is the increasing involvement of women, who constitute one in four drug users in Nigeria. Poverty, unemployment, and lack of economic opportunities are key drivers of substance abuse. Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, emphasized that drug abuse is a multi-dimensional problem affecting public health, security, social stability, and economic productivity. Nigeria's strategic location as a transit point for international drug trafficking further exacerbates
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadHalima Mahdi, the Gombe State and North-East Zonal Coordinator of the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All CSACEFA, has condemned the ongoing abduction of schoolchildren in Nigeria. She stated that these attacks on schools pose a significant threat to the future of education in the country. Mahdi's warning comes amidst a resurgence of insecurity, with a recent police report indicating 50 bandit attacks within one week. Pupils, students, and teachers abducted from schools in Borno and Oyo states remain in captivity. Public schools in Oyo State have been closed for about a month due to demands from the Nigerian Union of Teachers for adequate security measures. Mahdi emphasized that the persistent abductions are creating fear, discouraging access to education, and undermining efforts to improve school enrollment and learning outcomes. She warned of severe social and economic consequences if the safety of children and educational institutions is not guaranteed, highlighting the dangerous combination of rising out-of-school children and youth unemployment. Mahdi called on federal, state, and local authorities to intensify efforts to address insecurity, secure the release of abducted children, and prioritize protecting children and ensuring uninterrupted access to education.
Sweden is nearing its goal of becoming Europe's first smoke-free society, with adult smoking rates at approximately 5.6 percent. This achievement is attributed to a public health strategy focused on tobacco harm reduction, which distinguishes between combustible and non-combustible nicotine products. Many nicotine users in Sweden have transitioned from cigarettes to reduced-risk alternatives, such as snus, a traditional smokeless tobacco product. This shift has led to Sweden having the lowest smoking prevalence in Europe and among the lowest incidences of smoking-related illnesses, including lung cancer. The Swedish experience challenges the assumption that meaningful progress in tobacco control can only come from complete cessation, demonstrating that significant public health gains can be achieved when adult smokers switch to reduced-risk alternatives. This approach provides lower-risk options for individuals who may not quit immediately or entirely, leading to reduced exposure and improved health outcomes. The success in Sweden also underscores the importance of informed choice, where individuals, understanding the relative risks, opt for lower-risk products. While the World Health Organization maintains that all tobacco and nicotine products carry health risks, Sweden's trajectory suggests a need for a more nuanced, evidence-based approach that acknowledges the continuum of risk across nicotine products. Sweden's success is rooted in a pragmatic alignment of science, beha
Apex African Gas Nigeria Limited has commissioned a 70-tonne-per-day Air Separation Unit plant in Lagos, increasing its total production capacity to 110 tonnes per day. This expansion positions the company among Nigeria's largest domestic industrial gas producers. The new facility will produce oxygen, nitrogen, and argon, crucial for sectors including healthcare, construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and food processing, aiming to reduce reliance on imported gases. Chairman Najimu Adeniji highlighted that nitrogen is a key product for the oil services industry, particularly in Port Harcourt, and local production saves foreign exchange costs. However, Adeniji noted that power supply remains a significant challenge affecting production costs, advocating for cheaper power from the national grid to reduce the cost of oxygen for the public. General Manager Charles Allam stated the company's commitment to supporting hospitals with oxygen despite rising operating costs, mentioning collaborations with the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain. Allam also revealed that the project involved an investment exceeding N10 billion. Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Guest of Honour, praised the project as a demonstration of investor confidence in Nigeria and a significant contribution to industrial development and job creation. Representatives from FHI 360, the Nigerian Navy, the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, and the Clinton Health Acce