The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) sounded an alarm on Thursday, revealing that young people in Borno State are resorting to consuming fermented human urine, preserved for over 10 days, as an alternative to hard drugs.
Iliyasu Mani, the Commander of Narcotics in Borno State, disclosed this concerning trend in a statement issued in Maiduguri.
He expressed concern over the prevalent abuse of psychoactive substances among the youth, highlighting the consumption of unconventional items such as lizard dung, camel urine, Lipton soaked in gin, and a mixture of Mentholated spirit with soft drinks.
In their pursuit of intoxication, Mani revealed that these youths are also inhaling toilet fumes and consuming gutter dirt.
He emphasized the concerning nature of the situation, listing various substances commonly abused, including Cannabis Sativa, skunk, cough syrup with codeine, ice, Tramadol, Rohypnol, Diazepam, Pentazocine, rubber solution, glue, and other unconventional items like 10-day-old human urine.
Despite the NDLEA’s efforts to combat drug abuse, Mani acknowledged the escalating challenge, particularly with the involvement of young teens, especially women, in the abuse of new psychoactive substances.
However, he assured that the NDLEA is not losing hope and has strengthened its prevention strategy by establishing a remodeled counseling and rehabilitation center within the Borno State Command premises.
Additionally, the NDLEA commander mentioned the establishment of drop-in centers across all tertiary institutions to serve as drug abuse research centers for the benefit of all.
Under his leadership, the NDLEA command has seized 4.5 tonnes of illicit substances and arrested 863 suspects.
Out of those arrested, 53 have been convicted, while 736 are currently undergoing counseling.
Quoting a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime household survey conducted in 2018 (reviewed in 2021 and 2022), Mani highlighted the alarming substance abuse levels in Nigeria, standing at 14.3 percent, which is three times higher than the global average of 5.6 percent.
The survey further revealed that the prevalence of illicit drugs in the North-East was 13.6 percent, North-West at 12 percent, and North-Central at 10 percent.
These statistics underscore the urgent need for continued efforts in addressing substance abuse in the country.
