The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Oyo State Command has raised concerns about the prevalence of drug abuse among undergraduates in the state.
According to the state NDLEA Commander, Olayinke Joe-Fadile, about four to five out of 10 undergraduates are into drugs.
Joe-Fadile disclosed this during a rally, on Wednesday, to commemorate the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day.
The theme of this year's celebration is "The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention, Break the Circle". The commander expressed worry that younger people are increasingly getting exposed to drug use and offences.
According to Joe-Fadile, the menace of drug abuse is getting more worrisome as statistics have shown that younger people are getting exposed to drug use and offences.
“We are intensifying efforts on our campaigns across primary and secondary schools, including tertiary institutions in the state, because the demography of people using drugs is getting lower by the day.
"We now can see children from age nine upward taking drugs.
“The statistics are also showing us that about four to five out of 10 undergraduates are into drugs,” he said.
The NDLEA boss said that the 2025 campaign highlights the need for coordinated long-term action to break the cycle of organised crime and drug trafficking.
This, he said, could be achieved by addressing root causes, investing in prevention and building stronger health, education and social systems.
He noted that the command had, in the last few months, arrested 150 persons for drug-related offences and burnt about 11 tons of different kinds of seized illicit substances.
Joe-Fadile cautioned that drug users could have their internal organs destroyed, leading to a slow and painful death.
He warned that the NDLEA would not relent in its efforts to ensure that manufacturers, producers, and sellers of illicit drugs in Oyo State face the full wrath of the law.
“We believe that every day is for the thieves, but one day is for the owner.
“NDLEA will soon knock at the doors of drug peddlers to pick them up for prosecution and necessary legal trials.
He said that most traditional leaders in the state had been inducted as NDLEA ambassadors to carry out campaigns against drug abuse among their constituents.
“We have also discovered that many people respect and listen to religious leaders; hence, we are collaborating with them, using their platforms to reach out to many people,” he said.
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