About 14.3 million Nigerians are affected by drug abuse, according to Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
She revealed the figures during the inauguration of NAFDAC’s youth-targeted programme, Catch Them Young, held at Government Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt.
The initiative, which focuses on secondary school students, aims to curb drug addiction through education and capacity-building. “This programme is not designed to scare anyone but to encourage informed decisions regarding drug use, including alcohol consumption,” said Adeyeye.
Arrest Statistics
NAFDAC data highlights the scale of the issue, showing that one in four high-risk drug users has been arrested for drug-related crimes. Of these arrests, 73% involved drug possession, 12% theft, 5% sex work, 4% burglary, and 2% shoplifting. Adeyeye warned, “This data only captures reported cases. The real situation is much worse.”
Vulnerability Among Students
Speaking at the event, Rivers State NAFDAC Coordinator, Onogwu Emmanuel, underscored the decision to focus on secondary school students, describing them as “the most vulnerable.” Two schools from each of Rivers State’s three senatorial zones are part of the programme’s pilot phase.
Community Support
Gladys Iheumamme, the principal of Government Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, lauded NAFDAC for the initiative, urging the agency to sustain its efforts. “This programme is vital to saving the future of Nigerian youth,” she said.
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NAFDAC’s Catch Them Young programme emphasizes awareness as a tool to prevent drug addiction, a problem affecting families, society, and the nation’s socio-economic stability.
