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NDLEA says it counselled, treated and rehabilitated 53,843 persons across its 31 rehabilitation centres nationwide in the last five years.
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Agency conducted 17,213 outreaches under its War Against Drug Abuse campaign to prevent substance abuse and raise public awareness.
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Marwa links drug abuse among young people to underlying emotional struggles, including anxiety, depression and trauma, while warning about harmful online influences.
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NDLEA calls for affordable mental healthcare, early intervention and stronger collaboration to tackle addiction, stigma and youth mental health challenges.
October 9, (THEWILL) – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disclosed that it rehabilitated 53,843 Nigerians struggling with drug use in five years, raising concerns over the connection between substance abuse and worsening mental health challenges among young people.
The agency said the affected persons received counselling, treatment and rehabilitation across its 31 rehabilitation centres nationwide, while it conducted 17,213 outreaches under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign within the same period to prevent substance abuse and promote public awareness.
The chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed the figures in remarks delivered by the Assistant Comptroller-General, Archie-Abia Ibinabo, Director of Seaport Operations, at the 4th Vanguard Mental Health Summit held in Lagos on Friday.
Marwa, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the summit, said mental health challenges and substance abuse were closely connected, warning that efforts to tackle drug use would be incomplete without addressing the emotional and psychological difficulties confronting affected persons.
According to him, the agency regularly encounters cases in which drug use is linked to underlying struggles such as anxiety, depression and trauma, with some young people turning to substances in an attempt to cope with distress.
“At the NDLEA, we meet this reality every day. Behind almost every case of drug abuse is a story of pain: anxiety nobody noticed, depression nobody named, trauma nobody treated”, he stated.
He explained that the connection between mental health and substance abuse made it necessary to combine enforcement against drug trafficking with prevention, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation for people affected by drug use.
Marwa stressed that although the NDLEA would sustain its operations against drug traffickers and criminal cartels, enforcement remained only one part of the agency’s responsibilities.
He said the agency’s balanced strategy also focused on reducing the demand for drugs through public education, early intervention and access to treatment, adding that the WADA campaign had taken anti-drug messages to schools, tertiary institutions, markets, places of worship, workplaces and communities.
Social Media, Technology Raise Concerns
Marwa also warned that the growing influence of technology and social media was exposing young Nigerians to risks that could affect their mental wellbeing and increase their vulnerability to substance abuse.
He identified cyberbullying, unrealistic social comparisons, excessive screen use and online content that glamorises drug consumption as some of the emerging concerns.
He added that drug traffickers were exploiting digital platforms to reach potential users, making it necessary to develop more effective online campaigns to counter harmful narratives and discourage substance abuse.
Marwa called on parents and schools to encourage open conversations about social media use, emotional wellbeing and the dangers of drug consumption, rather than allowing young people to confront these challenges without adequate guidance.
He said digital platforms could also be used to disseminate credible information, promote healthy choices and direct young people experiencing difficulties to appropriate support services.
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Call For Affordable Mental Healthcare
Speaking on the summit’s theme, “Advancing Youth Mental Health in Nigeria through Access, Action and Advocacy,” Marwa called for affordable mental healthcare and addiction treatment accessible to Nigerians irrespective of their income or location.
He said the country needed more trained mental health professionals and better integration of mental health services into primary healthcare to ensure that affected persons could receive assistance without unnecessary barriers.
The NDLEA boss also advocated treatment systems that would not turn away young people seeking help, stressing that timely access to professional support could improve their chances of recovery.
On early intervention, he said identifying and supporting students experiencing emotional or psychological difficulties could prevent their problems from escalating to a point where intensive treatment or rehabilitation became necessary.
He emphasised the importance of recognising warning signs early and providing appropriate support to young people before they resort to drugs as a way of coping with emotional distress.
Marwa further identified stigma as a major obstacle preventing people from seeking mental health support, urging parents, teachers, religious leaders and the media to create an environment in which young people could discuss their struggles without fear of ridicule or discrimination.
He said communities must encourage those experiencing mental health difficulties or substance use problems to seek professional assistance rather than isolate or stigmatise them.
Stakeholders Urged To Unite Against Drug Abuse
The NDLEA chairman called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, healthcare professionals, educators, civil society organisations, the private sector and the media to expand prevention programmes, improve referral systems, strengthen treatment services and increase public education.
He maintained that addressing substance abuse required a coordinated response that combined law enforcement with mental healthcare, rehabilitation and community-based prevention.
The agency’s figures highlight the scale of its treatment and prevention activities over the five-year period, while Marwa’s remarks underscored the need to address the underlying factors that may contribute to drug use, particularly among young people.
He urged stakeholders to ensure that information about mental health and addiction treatment reached vulnerable populations and that people seeking assistance could access appropriate services.
Addressing young Nigerians, Marwa encouraged them to speak up about their challenges, seek help early and support friends who might be struggling, while warning against the use of drugs as a means of coping with life’s difficulties.
“Your struggles are real, but so is your potential. Seek help early, speak up, look out for one another, and say no to drugs. Your life is worth more than any substance”, he said.
Background
Drug abuse remains a public health and social concern in Nigeria, requiring sustained efforts to prevent substance use, disrupt trafficking networks and provide treatment for affected persons.
The NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse campaign is designed to reduce demand for drugs through awareness programmes and community engagement, complementing the agency’s enforcement operations against traffickers and distributors.
Mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression and psychological trauma, can complicate substance use and recovery. Stigma and barriers to accessing professional care may also discourage affected persons from seeking assistance.
The issues raised at the Vanguard Mental Health Summit point to the importance of integrating mental health services into drug prevention and treatment programmes, with particular attention to young people who may be vulnerable to emotional distress, harmful online influences and substance use.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
