The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised concerns about a new trend among youths who are using nail polish and methylated spirit to achieve a state of ‘highness’.
The agency attributed this shift to the rising costs of conventional narcotic substances such as tramadol, codeine syrup, and cannabis.
Tijjani Rabe, the Ogun State Commander of the NDLEA, disclosed this information while receiving members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) at the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta.
Represented by the Deputy State Commander, Ekundayo Williams, Rabe expressed concern over the growing menace, highlighting its impact on the families of victims, society, and Nigeria at large.
“Despite several sensitization and advocacy efforts, the agency is witnessing an increase in substance abuse on a yearly basis,” Rabe lamented.
Referring to a survey conducted in 2018, he said, “The survey revealed that 14.3 million Nigerians aged between 15 and 64 had used one substance or another in the previous year, showing a 5.6 percent increase compared to 2016.”
Rabe also noted that 20 percent of these 14.3 million individuals suffer from drug disorders.
He highlighted the alarming trend of using household items like nail polish and methylated spirit as substitutes for more expensive, conventional drugs, predominantly among youths.
He further revealed that one in five drug abusers injects substances using needles and syringes, which heightens the risk of spreading blood-borne diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B.
The NDLEA commander pointed out that the South-West region of Nigeria has the highest rate of drug issues, with Ogun State being particularly affected due to its large number of tertiary institutions, which attract young people from diverse backgrounds.
In response to the growing problem, the agency, in collaboration with other organizations and stakeholders, has intensified sensitization and advocacy efforts in schools, places of worship, markets, parks, and rural communities.
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