By Ebele Egoh
As the world commemorates the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. Olisa Uche, has warned that the growing prevalence of substance abuse poses a serious threat to the future of young Nigerians, particularly those in the South-East. The theme for this year’s observance is: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.”
Dr. Uche described drug abuse as a major public health crisis affecting individuals, families, and communities across Nigeria. He noted that thousands of young Nigerians are silently struggling with substance use disorders without access to professional treatment, stressing that the problem cuts across homes, schools, and public spaces.
According to him, commonly abused substances include alcohol, cannabis, Colorado, Loud, tramadol, codeine syrups, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and tobacco, with adolescents and young adults remaining the most vulnerable.
He explained that drug abuse contributes to serious mental health conditions such as addiction, depression, anxiety, and psychosis, as well as physical illnesses including heart disease, liver damage, respiratory disorders, and infectious diseases.
Dr. Uche further noted that substance abuse fuels several social problems, including school dropout, family breakdown, domestic violence, unemployment, crime, and growing insecurity in communities.
Ebele is of the Ministry of of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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