2 Million People Use Hard Drugs In South South Nigeria- NDLEA

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NDLEA

No fewer than 2.1 million persons aged between 15 and 64 years in the South-South region of Nigeria use psychoactive substances, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disclosed. Stella Ngwoke, the Commander of the NDLEA Command in Port Harcourt Ports, made this revelation in Onne during an event to mark the 2024 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse.

Ngwoke, referencing statistics from the 2018 National Drug Use Survey, highlighted that approximately 14.3 million persons within the same age bracket across Nigeria engage in the use of illicit drugs. “We are talking about drug use for non-medical purposes. It has also been discovered that one out of every four drug users is a woman,” she noted. Specifically in Rivers State, the prevalence rate stands at 15%, affecting an estimated 580,000 people.

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The commander identified the most commonly abused substances in the South-South region, which include hemp, tramadol, morphine, and cough syrups containing codeine. She emphasized the urgent need for governments at all levels and relevant stakeholders to address the escalating issue of drug intake in the country.

To combat this growing menace, the NDLEA has initiated several proactive measures aimed at reducing the demand for frequently abused drugs. Part of these measures includes the suppression of the supply of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances as outlined in the National Drug Control Master Plan, 2020–2025. Ngwoke reported that the agency’s interdiction efforts at the ports have led to significant seizures of drugs originating from India. In May, the NDLEA seized no fewer than 1,750 cartons of cough syrup with codeine, weighing 26,250 kg. In June, another substantial seizure of 875 cartons of the same substance, containing 17,500 bottles and also weighing 26,250 kg, was made. The combined street value of these drugs from both operations is estimated to exceed N4 billion.

Additionally, the NDLEA has conducted mop-up operations around the Port Harcourt Ports corridor to dismantle drug joints. This comprehensive approach aims to curb the availability of illicit substances and mitigate their harmful impact on the community.

The event also featured remarks from Mr. Mohammed Babadende, the Special Guest of Honour, who expressed grave concerns about the pervasive drug abuse problem in Nigeria. Babadende acknowledged that drug abuse has evolved into a global issue, presenting multifaceted challenges that impact millions worldwide. He praised the NDLEA for its diligent efforts in combating drug abuse, trafficking, and addiction across the country. “We all know that drug availability, affordability, and accessibility are directly influenced by addiction,” he remarked.

Mr. Bayo Adepoju, the Deputy Director of Port Operations at NAFDAC, contributed to the discourse by clarifying the legal status of tramadol and codeine. Despite their classification as prescription drugs, possessing them in large quantities remains illegal. Adepoju’s comments underscored the necessity for strict regulatory measures to prevent misuse and illicit distribution of these substances.

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