Checking Growing Use of Hard Drugs among Teenagers

The upsurge in the use of hard drugs remains a source of concern globally because of its effect on users, their families and loved ones.

In this report, Labizat Oduntan looks at the growing use of hard drugs among teenagers in the country.

Last year, a video went viral showing a young man drenched by dirty water as he rolled about in drainage.

It was the outcome of taking a hard drug with the street name “Colorado”.

Other illicit substances and drugs in common use include cocaine, heroin, cannabis, tramadol, codeine and diazepam.

A 2021 report by Statista indicates that over 270 million people engage in substance abuse globally.

In Nigeria, a study reveals that a lot of commercial bus drivers, farmers, sex workers, secondary school students who are obviously in their teens and undergraduates are on hard drugs.

A 2021 statistic by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, buttresses the study, showing that forty per cent of youths within the age range of 18 and 25 years are deeply involved in the abuse of drugs.

Ready sources include drug markets, hawkers, fellow drug abusers, friends and drug pushers.

Two youths in Ibadan expressed their views on the use of drugs among their peers.

“Such youths became disoriented such that at that period he/she may not know who they are, it is not a necessary thing to take hard drugs because it will not solve the problem.”

While another youth recounted the experience of a friend who got entangled in the web of illicit substances. 

“I am citing an example of a friend of mine who was under the influence of codeine. He wasn’t about to enjoy himself for like 40-45mins. He was so unconscious and started acting strange.”

A medical doctor, Olanrewaju Shomoye who said illicit substances use was prevalent among young people, highlights their injurious effects and equally outlined other impacts besides mental and bodily harm.

“It affects the way one thinks, feels and behave generally, also affects the way other people the abuser, sometimes they become depressed.”

“It affects their finances. They are not able to keep money, they spend too much money especially people on crack cocaine. They will need to do a lot of things to get money. Sometimes they go into stealing sometimes they go into robbery.”

Dr Shomoye pointed out that medical lifelines such as psycho-social methods exist for people who fall prey to hard drugs.

Labizat Oduntan