The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd), has said the abuse of illicit drugs abuse was enabling crimes and criminality across the country.
Marwa said this in his presentation during a National Youth Conference organised by the Vanguard Against Drug Abuse detox centre on Friday in Abuja.
The theme of the conference is tagged “The Youths, Drugs, Mental Health and Nigeria’s Future.”
Marwa said that when youths indulged in drug abuse, the tendency for them to develop anti-social behaviour was high.
The NDLEA boss said this had in part, fueled the insecurity problem the country has on its hands today.
He said, “I am one of the believers in the theory of crime that views the abuse and trafficking of illicit substances as enablers of crime and criminality.
“And in Nigeria of today, we have empirical and circumstantial evidence to back this theory.
“For example, the South East, known for relative calm, has, in the past three years, been caught in a vortex of violence.
“The factors responsible for the cycle of violence being perpetrated by young people are many and varied but also do not preclude drug abuse, especially methamphetamine, popularly known as Mmkpuru Mmiri.
“I have heard the arguments time and again, that some young people get creative or inspiration when they smoke cannabis.
“That is balderdash. Did they also tell you that many also run mad or lose their sense of reasoning after smoking cannabis?”
Marwa said that the best option in any society’s drug control effort was still prevention.
He added that the more young people that were successfully treated, the lesser the demand for illicit substances by people from this social group.
He said, “For the young people listening to me this morning, my appeal to you is simple. Youth is an important period in the human life cycle, a make or mar period.
According to him, It could become a period of lost opportunities due to the use of illicit drugs. And it is a tragedy for any country whose youthful population is given to drug abuse.
“The loss in economic terms is often unquantifiable, because, youth, who are supposed to be the engine room of the economy and the driver of a country’s GDP, become less productive.
“And also more of a burden when the drug culture thrives in society.
“I am sure some of you are familiar with the dire warning regarding the use of tobacco that “smokers are liable to die young.”
“That warning applies also to the abuse of an illicit substance or any misuse of pharmaceutical drugs.
“Those who abuse drugs or illicit substances are likely to die young and are likely to live a health-impaired life in the later years of their lives,” he said.
Marwa said that there were many compelling reasons for any youth not to be caught in the vortex of drug abuse.
“But above all, be reminded that the consequence is not limited to only you, the abuser of the illicit drug, but your family will also be affected, as well as your community and country,” he said.
Earlier, the Convener of GVADA, Dr Hope Omeiza, said that the aim of the conference was to sensitise all stakeholders for more concerted efforts moving forward in the campaign against drug abuse.
Omeiza, who doubled as the Managing Director of the VGADA detox centre, said that it also aims at creating avenues for treatment and prevention of those who have already suffered drug abuse.
This, he said, included those who might be intending going into Drug abuse
“The call for action is calling on all stakeholders, which is why here represented are SSA to the President, SA to the President, head of government agencies, MDAs, here to put their thoughts together
“They need to make a declaration for their support followed up with necessary action for implementation of all that will be said here today.
“As youths, Let us stay away from drugs, Drug abuse is not Steeze.
“There are alternatives to maintaining confidence, to getting pleasures, to increasing pleasures, and to not be in pain, not a drug. It’s not worth the risk,” he said.
High points of the event were panel discussions on the effects of drug abuse on Nigerian youths, and way-outs and presentations of awards in recognition of those who have contributed to curbing drug abuse in Nigeria.
NAN