Four to five out of every ten students are involved in the use of psychoactive substances, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said.
Oyo State Commander of the NDLEA, Olayinka Joe-Fadile, disclosed this during a sensitization rally held in Ibadan to mark the 2025 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Addressing participants, Joe-Fadile disclosed that recent investigations and arrests by the agency revealed that drug abuse is highly prevalent in tertiary institutions.
He said:”Our findings show that between 40 and 50 percent of undergraduates are using drugs. This is a national emergency. Even children as young as nine years old are being exposed to illicit substances,” he stated.
He explained that the NDLEA has adopted a preventive approach to tackling the menace, stressing the importance of education and community involvement over punitive measures.
This aligns with the theme of the 2025 United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse:
“The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention, Break the Cycle.”
He noted that the agency has launched aggressive anti-drug abuse campaigns in schools, universities, and communities. In collaboration with religious leaders, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders, the agency has been running enlightenment programs aimed at discouraging drug use among youths.
He disclosed that last year, over 150 individuals have been arrested in Oyo State for drug-related offenses, while more than 11 tonnes of illicit drugs have been seized and destroyed.
“Drug abuse leads to slow and painful death. It destroys the liver, kidneys, brain, and ultimately wastes the life of the user,” he warned.
He implored parents, teachers, and community leaders to play active roles in curbing the trend by monitoring children and speaking out when signs of drug use are noticed.
