53,843 Drug Users Rehabilitated by NDLEA in Five Years, Says Marwa

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has provided counselling, treatment and rehabilitation to 53,843 people battling drug use in Nigeria over the last five years.

The agency said the beneficiaries received assistance through its 31 rehabilitation centres across the country, while 17,213 outreach activities were organised under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign to discourage substance abuse and educate the public.

The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), revealed the figures at the 4th Vanguard Mental Health Summit in Lagos on Friday.

His remarks were delivered by the Assistant Comptroller-General, Archie-Abia Ibinabo, Director of Seaport Operations, as Marwa attended the event as Special Guest of Honour.

The NDLEA chief emphasised that mental health problems and substance abuse were closely intertwined, noting that failure to address both issues together could weaken efforts to help young people affected by drug use.

He said the agency had encountered numerous cases where substance abuse was connected to unresolved psychological and emotional problems, such as anxiety, depression and trauma.

“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,” Marwa said.

He noted that some young people used drugs to manage emotional distress, underscoring the importance of providing mental health care alongside measures to tackle drug trafficking and abuse.

While reaffirming the agency’s commitment to fighting drug traffickers and cartels, Marwa said enforcement alone was not enough to address the problem.

He explained that the NDLEA had adopted a broader approach that prioritised reducing drug demand through prevention initiatives, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation.

According to him, the strategy was reflected in the WADA campaign, which has extended anti-drug advocacy to schools, campuses, markets, places of worship, workplaces and local communities.

Marwa also raised concerns about the impact of technology and social media on young people’s mental health and exposure to drugs.

He warned that cyberbullying, unrealistic comparisons with others, excessive screen time and online content glorifying drug consumption were creating additional risks for young Nigerians.

He further observed that drug traffickers were taking advantage of digital platforms to reach potential users, calling for more effective online campaigns to counter messages that encourage substance abuse.

The NDLEA chairman urged parents and schools to encourage honest conversations about responsible technology use and the dangers associated with drugs.

Addressing the theme of the summit, “Advancing Youth Mental Health in Nigeria through Access, Action and Advocacy,” Marwa called for affordable mental healthcare and addiction treatment services that Nigerians could access regardless of their financial circumstances or geographical location.

He said the country needed more trained mental health professionals and better integration of mental health services into primary healthcare. He also advocated treatment systems that would welcome young people seeking help rather than turn them away.

Marwa stressed that early intervention was critical, explaining that identifying students facing emotional or psychological difficulties and providing timely support could prevent their problems from becoming more severe.

He described stigma as another major challenge preventing people from seeking assistance and called on parents, teachers, religious leaders and media organisations to create a supportive environment for young people to discuss their mental health concerns.

He also urged government institutions, healthcare workers, educators, civil society groups, private-sector organisations and the media to work together to strengthen prevention, referrals, treatment and public awareness programmes.

In his message to young Nigerians, Marwa encouraged them to seek support before their challenges escalated, look out for one another and reject drug use.

He assured them that personal struggles did not take away from their abilities or future prospects.

“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.

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