The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has revealed that approximately 14 million Nigerians are estimated to be involved in the abuse of harmful substances. This alarming statistic was shared by Yetunde Joyifous, Deputy Commander of the NDLEA, during an awareness program organized by the Oijefon Youth Council for secondary school students in Ile Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of Ondo State on Wednesday.

Joyifous emphasized that tackling the issue of drug abuse requires a collective effort from all members of the community. She highlighted that the most commonly abused substances are chemical drugs, which have detrimental effects on the mental health of users.

“The only way to address this growing problem is to involve all stakeholders in the community and encourage them to collaborate with authorities in the fight against this dangerous trend,” she stated.

She also pointed out that secondary school students are particularly vulnerable to drug abuse and called for increased efforts to safeguard them from its harmful effects.

Adedokun Adeyonu, President of the Oijefon Youth Council, explained that the program was designed to educate and discourage young people from engaging in drug abuse. He defined drug abuse as the use of harmful substances, such as alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs, in ways that damage both physical and mental health.

Adeyonu identified curiosity, peer pressure, and the desire to escape life’s challenges as key factors driving drug use among young people. He also noted that exposure to certain movies and music could contribute to the normalization of drug abuse.

The event was attended by secondary school students from Ile Oluji and representatives from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), underscoring the importance of community-wide initiatives to combat this pressing issue.