Turning the Tide, No More Casualties : Drug Abuse, Broken Systems, and the Call for Collective Action. Building a Drug-Free Generation Through Prevention
A Call to Action on World International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
By Dr. Aiyeku Olufemi Samuel
Development Economist | Governance Analyst | Youth Advocate
Today, June 26th, we join the world in marking the
WORLD INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING
under the global theme:
“The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.”
This isn’t just a symbolic day—it is a loud global alarm and a national mirror reflecting how deeply drug abuse has rooted itself in our communities, especially among young people.
Understanding the Menace
Substance abuse in Nigeria and across the world is no longer a hidden problem—it is a pandemic creeping through schools, streets, bedrooms, campuses, and even religious spaces.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC):
* Over 275 million people globally used drugs at least once in the past year.
* In Nigeria alone, over 14.3 million people between ages 15–64 have used drugs, with nearly 3 million suffering from drug use disorders.
* Shockingly, the highest prevalence is among youths aged 25–39, and increasingly, teenagers as young as 13 are becoming first-time users.
What is happening to our future?
Why are we losing bright minds to addiction and silence?
Narrative: From Innocence to Dependency
Many of today’s drug users didn’t begin with criminal intent.
They began with curiosity, peer pressure, emotional neglect, or mental health crises left untreated. One pill at a party. One drag to impress. One bottle to numb the pain. That’s how the spiral starts.
“Drugs do not heal pain; they disguise it. And in disguise, pain becomes destruction.”
~ Dr. Aiyeku Olufemi Samuel
Challenges in Curbing the Menace
* Cultural Silence: Many families, religious centers, and schools still deny or downplay drug-related issues until it’s too late.
* Lack of Preventive Infrastructure: Few accessible, youth-friendly drug rehabilitation centers exist in rural and urban areas alike.
* Weak Law Enforcement: While drug trafficking laws exist, enforcement remains selective or underfunded.
* High Unemployment and Idleness: A significant number of youths engage in drug use due to joblessness and lack of purpose.
* Social Media Glorification: Celebrities and influencers now normalize codeine, marijuana, and pills as symbols of status or rebellion.
Rhetorical Questions & Reflection
Is drug abuse a health issue or a moral failure?
It is a health crisis with deep social and spiritual implications.
Can we arrest our way out of this crisis?
No. Prevention and education must become our frontline strategy.
How many more lives must be lost before we act?
One more is already too many. The time is now.
Solutions & Recommendations
* Community-Based Education Campaigns: Use of religious institutions, youth groups, traditional rulers, and peer educators to demystify drugs and spread awareness.
* Investment in Mental Health Services: Integrate mental health clinics into local PHCs and schools to handle trauma before drugs do.
* Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programs: Government and NGOs must collaborate to create safe spaces for healing and vocational reintegration.
* Media Literacy Campaigns: Teach young people how to discern harmful content online and reject substance glorification.
* School-Based Prevention: Introduce compulsory anti-drug curriculum at all levels of education with relatable content.
“If you want to shape the future, save the mind of the youth. Where the mind goes, the life follows.”
~ Dr. Aiyeku Olufemi Samuel
A Call to All Stakeholders
Parents — Be present and vigilant.
Schools — Educate beyond academics.
Religious Leaders — Counsel with compassion.
Governments — Invest in prevention, not just punishment.
Youth — You don’t need drugs to cope, to shine, or to belong.
Media & Influencers — Stop promoting poison. Use your platforms to heal.
Let us build a caring, conscious, and drug-free Nigeria—not just for today, but for tomorrow’s children too. The evidence is clear. Now, let’s act with clarity and courage.
Signed
Dr. Aiyeku Olufemi Samuel
Co-Founder & Lead Consultant, Global Human Capital & Energy Management Ltd
Governance Analyst | Policy Consultant | Youth & Girl-Child Advocate
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