News Report – July 21, 2025
As part of activities marking the first-year coronation anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Oba Latif Egbeyemi Oladimeji, held at Ogba Asade, Agege, Lagos, the spotlight turned toward the alarming rise in drug abuse among Nigerian youths, during a compelling lecture titled “The Prison Called Drugs”.
Mrs. S.S. Fatimo Dauda, who delivered the lecture, is a representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). In her passionate presentation, she educated attendees on the growing threat of drug misuse and the need for urgent, coordinated efforts to curb the menace in homes and communities.
She began by explaining that drugs are chemical substances used primarily to treat illnesses and promote healing when taken in the right dosage under medical supervision. However, she warned that drugs become harmful when used excessively or misused for recreational or emotional escape, noting that this misuse is termed drug abuse.
Understanding Drug Abuse and Its Harm
Mrs. Dauda defined drug abuse as the improper use of legal or illegal drugs to alter one’s state of mind, often leading to severe physical, mental, and emotional consequences. She cited common examples such as codeine, tramadol, marijuana, heroin, crack cocaine, and others that are widely abused among youths today.
According to her, “Drug abuse is a prison without visible chains. It locks people mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, sometimes permanently.”
Consequences of Drug Abuse
The NDLEA official highlighted some of the destructive impacts of drug misuse, including:
Mental health disorders and memory loss
Liver and kidney failure
School dropout and academic decline
Criminal behavior and arrest
Family rejection and social isolation
Accidental overdoses and premature death
Warning Signs and the Role of Parents
She urged parents and guardians to be alert to early warning signs in their children, such as:
Sudden behavioral changes and mood swings
Red or watery eyes, frequent sniffing or coughing
Lying, theft, or unexplained spending
Association with questionable peers
Withdrawal from family and school life
Mrs. Dauda stressed that parents must be intentional, observant, and approachable. “It’s not enough to provide food and school fees — you must also know who your child is becoming,” she said, urging parents to build trust and open channels of communication.
A Wake-Up Call for the Community
She called on schools, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and community organizations to support NDLEA’s efforts by raising awareness and providing support structures for addiction recovery and prevention.
The lecture was a key moment in the coronation celebration, turning a festive occasion into a platform for national enlightenment. Attendees left the venue not only celebrating the royal milestone but also armed with vital knowledge to confront the silent epidemic of drug abuse.
This report was written by Akinola Alimot.