A report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has estimated that over 14.3 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 to 64 years are engaged in drug abuse. Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, is home to a vibrant and dynamic youth population.&nbsp;

However, this promising demographic is facing a grave threat: <b>Drug Abuse</b>. Drug abuse is a growing concern in Nigeria, hampering personal growth, eroding societal values, and posing significant health risks.

Through three personal experiences, this article sheds light on the devastating consequences of drug abuse and emphasizes the urgent need for awareness, prevention, and intervention programs to safeguard the future of Nigerian youths.

Adekunle, now a medical doctor, almost got his ambitions thwarted by getting himself involved in drugs in his university days. He was the first son out of four siblings and from a good Christian home, A very brilliant and exceptional kid who kept up his good grades until his second year in the university when he got hooked on drugs.

It all started in his second year in the university, off-campus where he lived then with his roommate who was not as studious as he was. Whenever he got back from lectures the roommate was always at home smoking. Automatically that made him a secondary smoker. Since his roomie was always awake, Adekunle asked him to try waking him up at midnight to read but on several occasions he refused. So when Adekunle accosted him he said there was no need to wake him up when he had the right drug for the job.

He offered Adekunle the drug but he refused at first but after several attempts, Adekunle gave in. From that day Adekunle didn't look back. He lost focus, he couldn't read anymore, and was always restless staying up all night and finding ways to fuel his new lifestyle. His grades took a nosedive, his appetite grew bigger, and he grew from taking one tablet to taking half a card and then the full card of tramadol.

Apparently, the tramadol sold that period was banned from coming into the country because they were made of cocaine shafts. They were smuggled in and sold in black markets and that made it even more expensive to afford.&nbsp; His body has given in terribly to the drugs and he kept wanting more. At this point, Tramadol wasn't enough for him again, he started using all sorts of drugs like Marijuana, Colorado, Cocaine, Crack cocaine, etc. Not only was he using hard drugs, he was also abusing anti-depressants like Refnol, Benzodiazepines, etc. This in turn made it worse for him because he had severe physical and mental health problems. His increased appetite made him start demanding more money from his parents than normal.&nbsp; A few times they inquired and he gave them excuses they felt were valid. But when the demand became frequent they became uncomfortable and reached out to the school authorities.

Your guess is as good as mine, If you are wondering what would have happened. His parents were invited to see their son in a shadow of himself and in one of his episodes after taking one of the worst kinds of drug called Colorado.

Eventually, his parents helped him get the recovery he needed by attending rehabilitation centers, and support groups back to back for about 3 years. After he became better he went back to school to get a degree in medicine. Today he campaigns against drug abuse, creating awareness about the perils of Drug abuse and inspiring others to seek help,

Helena a promising university student fell into the clutches of drug abuse due to peer pressure and a desire to escape relationship issues with her boyfriend.&nbsp; Initially, she turned to codeine-based cough syrups, mistakenly believing they would provide solace and temporary relief. Little did she know that this decision would lead her down a treacherous path of addiction and despair.

Helena’s academic performance plummeted, and she lost interest in her studies and extracurricular activities. The once vibrant young woman was now a shadow of her former self, isolated and disconnected from her loved ones not even her boyfriend at the time could help her. She was no longer communicating with her parents because she did not want them to discover what she was up to,

&nbsp;Sooner she moved out of school and started living in one of the crack bunks: where drug addicts live and sell hard drugs so she could be close to her supply. Maintaining a drug lifestyle is expensive, so for her to be readily getting the drugs she needed, she started selling her body either to the suppliers, the addicts that lived there, and the ones that came to buy.

&nbsp;Basically, she was selling to the highest bidder. Helena did not stop there, she started going out from the bunk at odd times to boggle shops and sell the proceeds to buy drugs. This for her became very constant in her life until she was finally caught beaten and burnt to death.&nbsp;

Femi, a talented and ambitious young man, dreamed of becoming a successful civil engineer. However, his dreams were shattered when he succumbed to the lure of drugs. He started it innocently enough, experimenting with marijuana at social gatherings with friends and acquaintances. His strong will to feel accepted by them made using drugs in their company feel like the only option,

But soon Femi found himself trapped in a vicious cycle of addiction. His drug use escalated to harder substances, such as cocaine, heroin, and crack cocaine (This Is the rock form of cocaine) which devastated his health, relationships, and career prospects.

Gradually, Femi’s dreams crumbled, jeopardizing his education, relationships, and mental health. Drug abuse robbed Femi of his potential, leaving him trapped in a cycle of dependency and hopelessness.

His family abandoned him after several attempts to rescue and help him get back on his feet proved abortive. They were influential people in society and didn't want to have anything to do with him or be associated with him ever again.

Unfortunately, Helena and Femi did not get the chance to be saved and taken to rehab like Adekunle. They suffered the terrible effects of drug abuse that eventually led to their tragic end. Most Nigerian youths are neck-deep in drug addiction which leads them down a path of self-destruction.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, Drug abuse is the habitual taking of illegal drugs. Drug abuse could also be the excessive taking of over-the-counter drugs other than what they are intended for. The effects of drug abuse on Nigerian youths are manifold, impacting not only individuals but also families, communities, and society at large.&nbsp;

The negative effect of drug abuse on young people is profound as you can clearly see in the personal stories shared above. It not only jeopardized their present well-being but also hindered their future prospects.

The three personal experiences presented in this article offer a glimpse into the harrowing impact of drug abuse on Nigerian youths. Adekunle’s struggles, Femi’s lost potential, and Helena’s tragic demise are just a few examples of the devastating consequences that drug abuse inflicts on the youths and society at large.

To combat this menace, It is crucial for the Government, Non-governmental organizations, and families to prioritize prevention and rehabilitation programs. The rehabilitation centres should be provided drugs, fully equipped to deal with the number of youths that are being admitted.

Raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, providing accessible treatment options, and fostering support networks will empower Nigerian youths to make informed choices and lead healthier lives. This is a collective effort from everyone to play their part and not just pay lip service to ensuring that our youths are free from this plague.

Ultimately, by addressing the root causes of drug abuse and offering compassion and support to those affected, Nigeria can create a brighter future for its youths, free from the grip of drug addiction.

Drug Abuse is a menace to our society and a growing concern. When abused, drugs alter how the brain functions sometimes making quitting impossible. Once there is a change in the brain, it affects the ability to think clearly, changes behavioral patterns, lacks good judgment, and makes you lose control completely.


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