By Mary Agidi

“It started gradually and unconsciously. Let me say, from little things like going to game centers in secondary school. You know, when you go to these game playstations in secondary school, they offer you a few things to drink, and you don’t even know what it is. Until I got into university and found myself in this space where I had to start taking substances just to keep myself together. And before I knew it, I became addicted and couldn’t even finish my university education; I had to leave at a certain level.
“And from there, I found myself on the streets of Lagos, literally living by the roadside and sleeping, waking up daily. One day, I was so high that the church found me, and from there, I made my way to a rehabilitation center.”

Sharing his experience above is Mr. Ifedayo Oluwole, an eight-year survivor of drug addiction.

Teenage years and adolescence are stages where children metamorphose into adulthood, between ages 11 to 19. It’s a period of growth when children begin to develop physical features that indicate they are maturing. Female teenagers begin to develop breasts and reach puberty, while boys experience voice changes, grow beards, and develop broader shoulders. This is a delicate period in child development that, if not well-handled, could lead young adults astray due to youthful exuberance. This is also when they can be easily influenced—positively or negatively—just as it happened to Mr. Ifedayo.
According to the Positive Parenting Project, teenagers are more prone to addiction because “levels of the feel-good chemical dopamine are lower in the teenage brain. But when teens get something they want, their brains release more dopamine than an adult’s. This means their highs are higher and come from a lower base. That’s a huge neurological pay-off when things feel good, which can drive teens to repeat feel-good behaviors, making them more vulnerable to addiction.”

This contributes to the increasing cases of drug use and addiction among teenagers. Once a teenager tries a substance, either consciously or unconsciously, the likelihood of repeating it is high.

Reflecting on his unconscious journey into the world of drug addiction, Ifedayo, who is now committed to creating awareness about the dangers of drug abuse among teenagers, emphasized the importance of having access to the right information during adolescence, especially regarding dangerous lifestyles like drug use.

“It’s about providing information and awareness for young people, letting them know the long-term effects of what they are doing. It’s like telling a child, if you study medicine, you become a doctor and can earn a certain income. Similarly, if you tell someone about drug abuse, these are the effects.
“There’s a prevalence of drug abuse in secondary schools, specifically private secondary schools, and we need to create awareness around this. These children need to see that there’s more to life than drugs,” he said.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “alcohol and tobacco are the two most common substances teens abuse. Marijuana is also commonly abused by teenagers.
“Younger adolescents are more likely to inhale substances such as household cleaners or glue. Older adolescents report more use of synthetic marijuana, commonly called K2 or Spice. Older teens also commonly abuse prescription medications, including opioids (Vicodin) and stimulants.”

Cases of drug abuse among teenagers in Nigeria are becoming more alarming. A report by Voice of Africa on drug use among teenagers in Kano, where victims were interviewed and confessed to using different substances to feel good, indicates that urgent action is needed to save young Nigerians from impending mental health crises.

Recently, in an interview with Channels Television, the Public Relations Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Femi Babafemi, informed the public that the last statistics showed 14.3 million Nigerians abusing illicit substances, translating to a 4.4% prevalence rate, almost three times the global average. “This also covers those between the ages of 15 and 64,” he revealed.

According to him, by 2030, there is a projection of a possible 11% rise in global drug use, with Africa likely to experience a 40% rise. “And when you talk about Africa, we are talking about Nigeria because of our population. That’s why this issue must be dealt with decisively, not just by government agencies alone, but as a collective effort starting from the home, religious bodies, traditional institutions, and across all strata. Everyone must be involved,” he stated.

The Chief Medical Director of Ondo State Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Dr. Sunday Sajo, recently confirmed the influx of mentally ill patients into the hospital, most of whom were victims of substance abuse.

In response to this growing problem, the Ondo State government recently launched a school campaign against drug abuse.

Speaking with The Hope about the importance of the campaign, the Permanent Secretary of the State’s Ministry of Health, Dr. Adeniran Ikuomola, who led the campaign team alongside the State’s Commandant of the NDLEA, said the campaign was necessary due to the alarming rate of drug abuse in the state.

“The issue is of public health importance. We don’t need to wait until there’s an escalation of incidents. Drug abuse is of public health concern because of the rate at which people suffer from its consequences and complications.
“There are men and women who are mentally challenged after abusing drugs. Some cases are obvious, while others are not, such as a spouse abusing drugs. Since drug abuse is now infiltrating the ranks of our young children, especially in secondary schools, there’s a need for us to take this campaign to them so they can change their ways before it’s too late,” he explained.

He added that the campaign would be a continuous process, and he hoped for support from stakeholders to further the cause.

Meanwhile, the National Institute on Drug Abuse identified several reasons why teens and adolescents experiment with drugs and alcohol: To fit in (peer pressure, social acceptance); to feel good (activate pleasure pathways in the brain); to feel better (relieve stress, mental health issues, physical pain); to do better (enhance athletic or academic performance); and to experiment (seek thrills and new experiences). Other reasons include a history of traumatic events, such as a car accident or abuse, low self-esteem, feelings of social rejection, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

In his contribution, Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Practitioner, Mr. David Folaranmi, described drug abuse as one of the major issues affecting Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with the South-West having the highest prevalence in the country, accounting for 22.4% or about 4,382,000 users.

To curb this alarming trend, he highlighted some preventive measures that need urgent amplification: “Public education and awareness campaigns are crucial to inform citizens, especially young people, about the dangers of drug abuse. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have been instrumental in this area. However, more efforts are needed to deepen the reach and impact of these campaigns.

“Schools should be a focal point for preventive measures. Educating teenagers and young adults about the risks of drug use can serve as an early intervention strategy.
“Programs focused on mental health awareness, life skills development, and peer mentorship can help prevent drug abuse before it begins. Additionally, integrating drug abuse prevention content into school curricula will help students make informed choices regarding substance use,” he advised.

Sharing her experiences with teenagers brought to their center for counseling, the Executive Director of Kids & Teens Resource Centre, Mrs. Folasade Bamigboye, noted that most victims came from dysfunctional homes and were influenced by peer pressure.

She explained that these teenagers have modernized ways of consuming illicit substances, making it difficult for those around them to detect, until they start displaying strange behavioral changes. According to her, they could mix substances with soft drinks or juice, bake them with flour, or mix them with food.

However, there are some noticeable behavioral changes in teenagers who use drugs, which parents and guardians must be aware of. These include changed relationships with friends and family, loss of interest in hobbies, poor attendance at work or school, staying indoors and locking doors, secretive behavior, periods of high energy followed by extended periods of sleep, changes in hygiene or appearance, and physical health signs.

In conclusion, a teen’s environment plays a pivotal role in their risk for drug abuse. Teens with easy access to drugs and alcohol are at greater risk of addiction. Therefore, greater accessibility to drugs and alcohol poses a severe threat to teen drug abuse. Education for teens and parents is essential, and open communication between them, along with safe medication storage and disposal, can save children’s lives.