As a community psychologist specialising in recovery support services, I have observed with growing concern the escalating substance abuse crisis in Nigeria, particularly among our youth. The statistics are alarming! The Nigeria Drug Use Survey of 2018 reports that 14.3 million Nigerians aged between 15 and 64 used drugs at least once in the past year, translating to a prevalence rate of 14.4 per cent—significantly higher than the global average of 5.6 per cent, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The UNODC 2018 survey revealed that one in five Nigerian drug users exhibited drug use disorders, with the age group 25-39 most affected. These figures underscore the urgent need for comprehensive, community-based interventions.
The substance abuse crisis in Nigeria is rooted in a complex web of social, economic, and cultural factors. Peer pressure, particularly among adolescents and young adults, plays a…