Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa, has blamed the recent surge in violent crimes and insecurity in the country on drug abuse.
Marwa made the revelation at a sensitization and advocacy programme for women and youths in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Friday, March 1.
The NDLEA boss was represented by Director, Drug Demand Reduction, Assistant Commandant General of Narcotics (ACGN), Dr. Ngozi Madubuike.
He said that the involvement of women and youths in drug abuse had taken on a frightening dimension in Nigeria, adding that drug users now included young people, females, and those living in rural areas.
He also said that the problem of drug use among the youth was the problem of everyone, which he said included the parents, the school, the general public, and the youth themselves.
According to him, the youth are the engine room of every society, irrespective of tradition, culture, and religion; they are vibrant, adventurous, energetic, and brilliant.
“Youth exhibit attitude both for the development of society and, at the same time, for the creation of problems in society,” Marwa said.
“Drug abuse leads to criminal offences, and this fuels insecurity, such as armed robbery, murder, kidnapping, and banditry, among others.
“This also leads to burglary and sex work. Evidence shows that young people use drugs for various reasons, which include relaxation, experimental/curiosity, and enhancing performance, among others.”
Marwa urged youths to shun drug abuse, adding that it was harmful to their health and had the potential to destroy their future.
Earlier, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, commended the organisers of the sensitization programme for choosing the topic considering the current trend of insecurity, which he said was the most trying period.
He said that the target audience was the right group who mostly fell victim of this menace, adding that most of the social problems being experienced in society today were due to drug abuse.
“Kidnapping, banditry, rape, and armed robbery, among others, are some of the negative consequences of this menace.
“It is derailing the peace, progress, and development of our teaming youth and by extension, the nation, “he said.
Also, the co-organiser of the sensitisation programme, Dr Aminu Gusau, said that drug abuse was a complex and multifaceted problem that affected individuals, families, and communities worldwide.
Gusau said that it not only posed serious health risks but also contributed to social and economic challenges.
He said that youth were the future of the nation and played a vital role in nation-building.
According to him, the use of drugs by the youth can have detrimental effects on the nation’s growth and development.