Drug Abuse is fast becoming a growing public concern among teenagers and youths in Nigeria. The effect of this menace is felt within families, schools, and communities across Nigeria and the world.

What begins as an expression of curiosity or simply a one-time trial leads young people on a slippery slope, where occasional experimentation gradually opens the door to drug abuse and addiction, with serious consequences for health, academic performance, and future opportunities.

Drug abuse among young people is a global challenge, not just limited to the Nigerian populace. Globally, over 270 million people used illicit drugs in 2020, according to a 2021 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This figure highlights the widespread nature of substance use and the urgent need for preventive interventions.

The situation is equally concerning in Nigeria. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates that approximately 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 years use psychoactive substances.

More specifically, a 2024 study conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education revealed that 13.6% of secondary school students in Lagos State have experimented with drugs, while 6.9% are current users.

These statistics provide clear evidence that drug use is prevalent among young people within secondary and tertiary institutions as well as communities in Nigeria. They are not just numbers; they represent real teenagers whose lives, education, and well-being are at risk.

A common way that students get introduced to drug use is peer pressure or a desire to cope with academic stress, often without fully realizing the long-term consequences. What often begins as an experimentation or “just once” can quickly become a habit.

Among teenagers and youths in Nigeria, popular substances such as marijuana, tramadol, codeine, and other prescriptions, as well as vaping, e-cigarettes, and newer local concoctions or “designer drugs,” are commonly misused.

These so-called experiments are often seen by teenagers as “harmless” but negatively affect the brain, particularly areas responsible for concentration, memory, judgment, and emotional regulation.

Since the adolescent brain is still developing, drug use during this stage increases the risk of addiction and long-term cognitive impairment. Over time, these effects become visible in declining academic performance, poor school attendance, behavioural changes, strained relationships, and deteriorating physical and mental health. In severe cases, drug abuse can lead to addiction, mental health disorders, and life-threatening complications.

Everyone has a role to play in creating awareness and preventing drug abuse among teenagers. It has become a systems challenge and requires a collective approach.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to maintain open, honest, and non-judgmental communication with their children. This is important because early conversations about drugs, combined with emotional support and guidance, can reduce the likelihood of experimentation.

More so, educational institutions such as secondary and tertiary schools, as well as educators, can contribute to preventing drug abuse by providing accurate information on drug use and identifying early warning signs among students.

Community-based awareness programs and youth engagement initiatives further strengthen prevention efforts by addressing social and environmental risk factors.

Drug abuse among teenagers is not an inevitable outcome of adolescence. However, ignoring the early stages of experimentation increases the risk of addiction and long-term harm.

On the part of parents and educators, recognising warning signs, awareness, education, and timely intervention are essential in stopping and preventing young people from sliding down the slippery slope from curiosity to dependency. (The Sun)