The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa and other Concerned Nigerians have raised an alarm over the increase in the rate of drug abuse among youth in the country.
Speaking at the 2026 World Mental Health Day observed in Abuja, Marwa and other speakers stressed the need for urgent steps towards reducing the rate of drug abuse in the country.
The 2026 World Mental Health Day, with the theme Rescue Youth, Restore the Future, Fight Against Drug Menace, brought together stakeholders from every sector, including civil society organisations and students.
The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Buba Marwa, who was represented at the event, lamented the proliferation of psychotropic drugs among the youth and its impact, while the President, Civil Society On Mental Health And Drug Demand Reduction In Africa, Engr. Okafor Prosper, said drug abuse and its menace remain a direct threat to the country's internal security, social stability and collective economic future.
Track up, Abubakar Garba, Commander of Narcotics, Ndlea, representing the Chairman of Ndlea, and Engr. Okafor Prosper, President, CISMHEDDR, Sound 1.
Other speakers at the event called for a collective approach towards the reduction of drug abuse among the youth, noting that no single institution could face the challenge alone.
Track up, Dr. Obioma Agoziem, Chairman of the Planning Committee, and Prince Abba, Speaker, Sound 2, back to back.
Stakeholders called for appropriate policy frameworks and adequate funding from government agencies, security institutions, healthcare providers, educators, civil society organisations, among others, in order to salvage the future of youth from the menace of drug abuse.
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