Nigeria’s Drug Crisis: Uncovering Causes, Consequences, and Solutions

Introduction

This documentary delves into Nigeria’s escalating drug abuse crisis, examining its underlying causes, far-reaching consequences, and possible solutions. Featuring firsthand testimonies, expert interviews, and on-the-ground footage, it highlights the profound impact of substance abuse on individuals and communities. The film also explores its connections to mental health issues, socioeconomic struggles, and shortcomings in the justice system. With perspectives from NDLEA officials, psychiatrists, sociologists, traditional leaders, and public health experts, the documentary showcases national efforts aimed at tackling the epidemic and offering hope to a vulnerable generation.

Quotes

“According to reports, 14.4% of Nigerians aged between 15 and 64 use drugs, which is almost three times the global average of 5.6%. Among these, 10.6 million individuals abuse cannabis, while 4.6 million misuse pharmaceutical opioids such as codeine and tramadol, among others.”

“The abuse of illicit substances should be related to poverty. There is an increased poverty in the land and most people are looking for a way out.”

“Somebody taking psychoactive substances … activates the release of this dopamine [from the reward center] … it [will] influence the behaviour and the pleasure of an individual, so activation of the release of this dopamine will alter the brain chemistry and it will alter the normal levels of this dopamine in our brain.”

“When we talk about socioeconomic factors there are 3 major pillars: income, occupation, education. There is [a] correlation between [the] social economy of the individual and the kind of drug use or drug abuse.”

“Most of the people who are embedded into drug abuse, you will see them committing various crimes and that crimes really bring a downfall to the society. Another issue that drug abuse policy cause[s] is economic hardship. You see those people who are engaged in drug abuse … take what they supposed to feed their families or what they [need] to even survive on their own … [and] use it to take drugs.”

“At the community level, initiative, driven by concerned citizens and local organization are posturing change. This effort, though small, are impactful in preventing substance abuse and supporting recovery.”

“We need a sincere and proactive approach to combating the menace of drug abuse in Nigeria. The first is the strengthening the regulatory institutions, [they need] to come together and ensure that there is proper regulation in the importation into this country, manufacture, distribution, use and use and [sale] of these drugs and substances with [the] potential for abuse.”