Suleja, Niger State, June 1, 2026 — Health and education stakeholders in Suleja have raised alarm over the growing incidence of drug abuse among teenagers, urging swift action from government and relevant authorities to curb the trend.
They warned that the situation, if not urgently addressed, could undermine public health, academic performance, security and national development, with far-reaching social and economic implications.
The concerns were expressed during separate interviews, where the stakeholders linked the rising cases of substance abuse among adolescents to factors such as peer pressure, unemployment, weak parental supervision and exposure through social media.
Commonly abused substances identified include tramadol, codeine-based syrups and cannabis.
A medical doctor at the General Hospital, Suleja, Ibrahim Yusuf, described the trend as worrisome, noting that an increasing number of young people were becoming dependent on harmful substances at an early age.
He said the effects were already visible in homes, schools and health facilities, with more cases of addiction, mental health disorders and aggressive behaviour among teenagers.
“We are increasingly treating young people struggling with substance dependence. Some present symptoms such as anxiety, depression, hallucinations and violent behaviour after prolonged use,” he said.
Yusuf added that the easy availability of some prescription drugs without strict regulation was worsening the situation, making access and misuse easier for young people.
A teacher at Government Day Secondary School, Suleja, Grace Eze, said some students had begun to display behavioural changes often associated with drug use.
According to her, substance abuse among teenagers contributes to poor academic performance, school dropout, teenage pregnancy and juvenile delinquency.
“Some students become withdrawn while others turn aggressive and disrespectful. It affects both their studies and their relationships at home,” she said.
A parent, Ramatu Abubakar, stressed the importance of stronger parental guidance and closer monitoring of children’s activities.
She noted that many teenagers are introduced to drugs through peers or curiosity before gradually becoming addicted.
Abubakar urged parents to enforce discipline, supervise social media use and pay closer attention to the company their children keep.
Public health advocates also called for tighter control of pharmaceutical sales, improved rehabilitation services and expanded awareness campaigns targeting young people.
They warned that failure to act decisively could worsen social and economic burdens on families and communities.
The advocates further urged collaboration among parents, schools, religious institutions and government agencies to address the growing challenge.
Data from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) indicates that Nigeria’s drug use prevalence rate stands at 14.4 percent, significantly above the global average of 5.5 percent, with cannabis remaining the most commonly abused substance among people aged 15 to 64.
They also noted emerging concerns over opioid misuse and the production of methamphetamine within the country.