By David Onwuchekwa
The wave of substance abuse among Nigerian youths has reached an alarming level, demanding urgent attention from all facets of society.
The consumption of excessive alcohol and hard drugs, ranging from tramadol to codeine and increasingly, Indian hemp, is eroding the future of a generation that holds the key to the nation’s progress.
These substances are not only destroying the health of users but also fueling a rise in crime, school dropouts, cultism, sexual violence, and unemployment.
In many parts of the country, including Anambra State, Indian hemp is now sold and smoked openly on the streets, as though it were a legal commodity.
This blatant disregard for existing laws, such as the Indian Hemp Act of 1966 and the NDLEA Act, is a disturbing indicator of weakened enforcement and a society at risk of normalizing what should remain firmly illegal.
The law is clear: the cultivation, sale, and use of cannabis in Nigeria is prohibited, carrying heavy penalties including long prison terms and, in extreme cases, capital punishment. Despite this, the public space is increasingly becoming a theater for open drug peddling and consumption, and youths are paying the highest price.
What is even more worrying is that some young people now see drug use as a rite of passage or a means of coping with harsh realities of economic hardship, joblessness, and emotional struggles.
The allure of instant pleasure, peer pressure, and lack of meaningful engagement are driving many into self-destruction.
Unfortunately, the consequences are dire: mental illness, addiction, road accidents, poor academic performance, inability to achieve success in life and in some cases, death.
This growing menace must be confronted with a multi-layered response. Government agencies like the NDLEA must intensify their clampdown on illicit drug markets, while schools, religious institutions, and community leaders must step up preventive education.
Parents also have a critical role to play by closely monitoring their children and promoting drug-free lifestyles. Additionally, alternatives must be provided through youth empowerment programs, mental health support, and recreational outlets to steer young people away from these deadly habits.
As a nation, Nigeria cannot afford to ignore this ticking time bomb. We must act swiftly and decisively to rescue our youths from the grip of substance abuse and restore sanity to our streets and schools. Legalizing or tolerating Indian hemp is not the answer enforcement, education, and empowerment are.
