00:00Every year on June 26th, the world comes together to confront a global crisis that transcends borders and touches millions of lives, drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
00:16This year, World Drug Day 2025 carries a powerful and urgent message.
00:24The evidence is clear. Invest in prevention.
00:29In Nigeria, the statistics reveal a sobering reality.
00:34According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 14.4%, that's 14.3 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64, are involved in drug abuse.
00:51A 2015 nationwide survey involving over 10,000 respondents conducted by the Nigerian Alcohol and Substance Abuse Survey further shows that alcohol remains the most commonly used substance.
01:10However, data from 2018 National Drug Use Survey paint an even more alarming picture.
01:17Cannabis stands out as the most widely abused illicit drug in the country.
01:24The reality is stark. Drug abuse does not discriminate. It cuts across education levels, social classes and geography. It exists in our cities and villages, in homes, on the streets and even in schools.
01:45In response, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime are raising their voices with a unified message. The time to act is now.
02:02The NDLEA chairman, Brigadier General Bubamawa, retired, undiscussed the urgency. From grassroots outreach and school-based education to national campaigns, the mission is clear.
02:18Prevent addiction before it begins. To every Nigerian, the call is simple. Ignoring the problem is a cost we cannot afford. But by investing in education, counseling and early intervention, we can change the narrative from crisis to hope, from addiction to recovery.
