Religious leaders, mental health experts and community stakeholders have raised concerns over the growing prevalence of substance abuse in the country, revealing that an estimated 14.4 million Nigerians have been exposed to drug use.
- +‘14 million Nigerians exposed to drugs’
The concerns were raised at the 40th Anniversary Lecture of Fountain of Hope Society 10NG held at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, according to a statement made available to Saturday PUNCH on Friday.
The concerns were raised at the 40th Anniversary Lecture of Fountain of Hope Society 10NG held at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, according to a statement made available to Saturday PUNCH on Friday.
The lecture, themed “Overcoming the Scourge of Substance Abuse and Addiction: The Role of the Church in Prevention and Rehabilitation,” brought together experts to examine the causes, consequences and solutions to Nigeria’s growing drug abuse problem.
Delivering the keynote presentation, Consultant Addiction Psychiatrist at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr Olajumoke Koyejo, described substance abuse as a major threat to the country’s future.
She disclosed that an estimated 14.4 million Nigerians have been exposed to substance use, while nearly 45 per cent of young people and students have experimented with drugs, noting that the country’s prevalence rate is about three times the global average.
According to her, curiosity, peer pressure, emotional distress and poor coping mechanisms are among the factors driving drug use.
She revealed that between 40 and 60 per cent of patients admitted at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, are treated for drug-related conditions.
“The future of our youths is being ravaged,” Dr. Koyejo said, stressing that recovery requires professional support, effective coping strategies and sustained rehabilitation.
Also speaking, Consultant Psychiatrist and Professor of Psychiatry, Olurotimi Coker, identified peer influence, family instability, stress, cultism and easy access to drugs as major contributors to substance abuse.
He warned that addiction could result in educational failure, mental health disorders, suicide attempts and organ damage, and advocated stronger anti-drug enforcement, drug education in schools, public awareness campaigns and greater involvement of faith-based organisations.
Coker urged churches to provide safe and non-judgmental spaces where those struggling with addiction can seek help and be referred to appropriate treatment facilities.
“The church must address the root causes of addiction by providing safe spaces for vulnerable youths, offering pastoral counselling and partnering with treatment facilities to support recovery,” he said.
Earlier, the President of FOH 10NG, Olumide Talabi, challenged churches to become places of refuge, healing and hope for young people.
“The church should be known as a place where people can seek help without fear of condemnation. We must embrace, guide and support our young people through life’s challenges,” he said.
Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency reinforced the need for strict compliance with anti-drug laws and sustained public enlightenment to curb drug abuse.
Participants agreed that tackling substance abuse requires a collaborative approach involving families, religious institutions, healthcare professionals, government agencies and civil society organisations.
