Contrary to the general belief that youths, in view of their huge population, will determine those that will be elected into offices in 2023, their effect may not be felt in that regard.
The chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig-Gen. Buba Barwa (retired), made the assertion on Thursday while delivering a lecture at the 10th anniversary of Realnews Magazine held in Lagos.
The theme of Marwa’s lecture is “Drug Abuse in Africa: Implication for Nigerian Economy and 2023 Elections.”
The NDLEA boss hinged his position on the conclusion that many of Nigerian youths who are supposed to determine the choice of those who would be voted into office are involved in drug abuse.
Such people, he reasoned, would not be able to make the kind of impact expected of them in the coming election.
His words: “With such a huge youth population, you can begin to think that the election in the country will be won by a “youth referendum,” but with so many youths involved in drug abuse, they can hardly make the kind of strong impact that people envisage; just as they cannot hold down a job, they also cannot exhibit prudent electoral choices or execute the civic duty of voting.”
He said rather, the country would witness among the youths the phenomenon of self-disenfranchisement among young people because “those who are into drug abuse will readily make themselves available as tools for irrational activities such as electoral thuggery and violence.”
Marwa explained that because of the association between drug abuse and violence, the 2023 election would be a testy one.
He however said that security agencies were aware of the possibility of violence and would take care of the situation.
Said he: “Drugs and violence go hand in hand. We can recall the social upheaval caused in southeast states in the last quarter of 2021 when there was an outbreak of abuse of methamphetamine. That episode gave us a foresight of the kind of instability that could result from abuse of illicit drugs by young people.
“With so many idle hands around, some of whom are hooked on drugs, the election will be a testy period. But, let me assure you that the security agencies are aware of this and are working to forestall it.”
Marwa who spoke on the increase in the amount of drug abuse in the country over the years, said the NDLEA had been making spirited efforts to stem the tide.
He disclosed that since the release of the 2018 National Drug Use and Health Survey which announced Nigeria as the world’s leading abuser of cannabis, the country had been making working to find solutions to the problem.
His words: “Since the release of the 2018 National Drug Use and Health Survey, Nigeria has been seeking solutions to the drug scourge, especially as it pertains to youths. The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari gives NDLEA unflinching support.
“The Agency in turn has been working on several measures which are largely youth-focused as well.
“We remain guided by global best practices. As recommended by the UNODC in the World Drug Report 2022: “Whole-of-society approaches are needed to ensure that people, young people most of all, have the information and develop the resilience to make good choices.”
“Part of the recommendations include:
- The development of “national drug prevention systems that reach children as early as possible in their development and focus on building resilience.”
- Reaching out to and involving adolescents, disseminating prevention messages on social media and other online platforms.
- Promoting prevention and treatment options for young people who use drugs and young people with drug use disorders
“In line with this recommendation, NDLEA has initiated some measures which I will mention briefly:
- One: War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign: This is grassroots-oriented advocacy which we are using to diffuse anti-drug sentiment across the various strata of our society.
- Two: NDLEA Twitter Space where drug issues are discussed by experts from within the country and around the world to an audience of young people.
- Three: A 24/7 Drug Abuse call centre with a toll-free helpline: 0800 1020 3040. This allows drug users, their families and employers to seek treatment without compromising their identities or safety.
- Four: open-door treatment at 26 NDLEA treatment facilities across the country.”
He spoke further: “On a final note, let me leave us with a thought-provoking submission about the danger of complacency in tackling drug abuse among youth.
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“By 2030, demographic factors project the number of people using drugs to rise by 11 per cent around the world, and as much as 40 per cent in Africa alone.
“This is an early warning that we should all take serious and ensure that we keep our young people away from dangerous substances that compromise the bright future ahead of them.”
The Realnews anniversary lecture was chaired by Mrs. Elizabeth Ngozi Ebi, Group Managing Director of Futureview Financial Services Limited.
Discussants were Otunba Lanre Ipinmosho, former Director General and Member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Eradication of Drug Abuse, PACEDA; Dr. Dokun Adedeji, Director General, Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry, CADAM, and Dr. Nkemakolam Ndionuka, Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director, Tranquil and Quest Behavioural Health.
Realnews, a general interest magazine, is an online publication which thrives on investigative journalism.
The publisher is top journalist, Maureen Chigbo.
Realnews Anniversary Lecture Series was established to commemorate the best minds in the society and to tap from them to enrich the discourse in national development.
The ninth anniversary lecture of Realnews in 2021 was delivered by Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board on “Nigeria in the Unfolding Integration of the African Market: The Oil and Gas Perspective.”
