NDLEA Rehabilitates 53,843 Drug Users In Five Years, Conducts 17,213 Anti-Drug Campaigns

Toyyibat Qasim

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has disclosed that it counselled, treated and rehabilitated 53,843 persons struggling with drug use across its 31 rehabilitation centres nationwide in the last five years.

The agency also conducted 17,213 public awareness campaigns under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative within the period as part of efforts to prevent substance abuse and discourage drug consumption among Nigerians, particularly young people.

The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed the figures at the fourth Vanguard Mental Health Summit held in Lagos on Friday.

Marwa, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the summit, spoke through the Assistant Comptroller-General of Narcotics, Archie-Abia Ibinabo, Director of Seaport Operations.

He emphasised the close relationship between mental health challenges and substance abuse, warning that efforts to tackle drug use would remain incomplete without addressing the emotional and psychological difficulties confronting affected individuals.

According to him, the agency’s operations have revealed cases in which drug use was associated with anxiety, depression, trauma and other psychological struggles.

“At the NDLEA, we meet this reality every day. Behind almost every case of drug abuse is a story of pain: anxiety nobody noticed, depression nobody named, trauma nobody treated,” Marwa said.

He explained that some young people resorted to drugs as a coping mechanism for emotional distress, making access to mental health services an important component of the country’s response to substance abuse.

The NDLEA boss, however, stressed that the agency would not relent in its efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks and arrest those involved in the illicit drug trade.

He noted that enforcement alone was insufficient, adding that prevention, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation remained critical elements of the agency’s strategy to reduce drug demand.

Marwa said the WADA campaign was designed to take anti-drug messages to schools, tertiary institutions, markets, religious centres, workplaces and communities to educate Nigerians about the dangers of substance abuse.

He also raised concerns about the influence of technology and social media on young people’s mental health, identifying cyberbullying, unrealistic social comparisons, excessive screen time and online content that glorifies drug consumption as emerging challenges.

According to him, drug traffickers are increasingly exploiting digital platforms to reach potential users, underscoring the need for more effective online campaigns to counter misleading narratives and discourage drug use.

He urged parents and school authorities to encourage open conversations with young people about their online activities, emotional well-being and the dangers associated with substance abuse.

Speaking on the summit’s theme, “Advancing Youth Mental Health in Nigeria through Access, Action and Advocacy,” Marwa called for affordable mental healthcare and addiction treatment services that would be accessible to Nigerians regardless of their income or geographical location.

He identified the shortage of trained professionals, limited access to treatment and inadequate integration of mental health services into primary healthcare as issues requiring urgent attention.

The NDLEA chairman also advocated early intervention, saying identifying students and other young people experiencing emotional or psychological difficulties could prevent their problems from escalating to the point where intensive rehabilitation became necessary.

He further identified stigma as a major barrier preventing people struggling with mental health challenges and substance abuse from seeking professional assistance.

Marwa urged parents, teachers, religious leaders and media organisations to help create an environment where young people could discuss their challenges without fear of discrimination or condemnation.