Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, has slammed a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Nigeria, claiming that 14.4% of Nigerians aged 15 to 64 take drugs, much exceeding the global average of 5.6%.
Obi also criticized the country’s leadership failure, high rates of poverty and frustration, peer-group pressure among youngsters, and a high percentage of unemployment as causes fueling drug and substance misuse among youths.
In a statement, the former Anambra State governor stated that the health consequences of drug misuse are unthinkable, including an epidemic of mental health problems and incidences of suicidal behavior among youngsters.
Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking: Health For Justice, Justice For Health
His remarks follow the World International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
While praising the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for their tireless efforts in combating the drug abuse menace in the country, the Labour Party presidential candidate said in a statement via his verified Twitter handle on Monday that the government must do more to prevent youths from falling further into drug addiction.
“On this International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, we are reminded of the lingering menace of drug abuse among our youths and the need to take consistent actions to defeat it.
“A report by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime in Nigeria indicates that 14.4% of Nigerians aged between 15 and 64 years abuse drugs. This is significantly higher than the global average of 5.6%.
“The leadership failure in the country, high rate of poverty and frustration, peer-group pressure among the youths, high rate of unemployment etc, are some of the main factors fuelling drugs and substance abuse among the youths.
See The Shocking Number Of Nigerians Taking Hard Drugs
“The attendant health conditions that result from drug abuse are unimaginable. They include an epidemic of mental health cases and incidents of suicidal behaviour among youth. While we appreciate the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for their tireless efforts in combating the drug abuse menace in the country, more needs to be done by the government in rescuing the youths – our productive workforce from a further slide into drug addiction.
“By not stigmatising our people who have fallen into drug addiction, and putting measures in place to prevent more people from getting caught in the deadly web, we will gradually stamp out this societal ill.
“I have always maintained that the New Nigeria will be anchored on our youth population and productivity. We must ensure that our youths are free from all forms of drug abuse and trafficking in illicit substances,” Obi said.
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