•Drug abuse
Experts and scholars have sounded the alarm over the rising incidence of substance abuse and its far-reaching consequences for public health, the economy, and social stability.
They spoke at the second edition of the Daniel Buba Colloquium held at Taraba State University, Jalingo, reports Saturday Guardian.
The colloquium, attended by academics, health professionals and policymakers, featured a series of paper presentations centred on the conference theme, “Nature’s Gift and Nation Building: The Role of Leadership in Sustainable Development.”
In a presentation titled “Abuse and Its Effects in Society,” Ambassador Tony Garba described substance abuse as the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs, and noted that it remains a major public health and development challenge.
Garba warned that drug abuse imposes heavy financial and social burdens on individuals, families and governments, while undermining productivity and national growth. He added that the global illicit drug problem is driven by multiple factors, including demographic trends such as age, gender and rapid urbanisation.
He highlighted that cannabis remains the most widely used illicit substance in Africa, with the highest prevalence in West and Central Africa, where usage rates range from 5.2 to 13.5 per cent. Garba further stated that amphetamine-type stimulants, such as methamphetamine and ecstasy, now rank as the second most commonly abused drugs on the continent.
The diplomat also raised concerns about the severe health risks associated with injecting drug use, including high rates of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections due to the sharing of contaminated needles and syringes.
On the psychological front, Garba said drug abuse undermines mental health, particularly among young people, leading to anxiety, depression, paranoia, and, in severe cases, hallucinations and suicide risk. He warned that drug use among children and adolescents can stunt emotional and cognitive development, with long-term consequences for decision-making and self-esteem.
Economically, the paper found that drug addiction contributes to school dropouts, unemployment and underemployment, thereby perpetuating cycles of poverty. Families often face financial ruin due to the cost of substances, while societies suffer losses in productivity and increased welfare and healthcare expenses.
Socially, substance abuse was described as a major cause of family breakdown, social isolation and stigma. Garba noted that individuals struggling with addiction often lose support networks and may associate with deviant groups, reinforcing cycles of abuse across generations.
Other speakers emphasised that long-term drug use leads to organ damage, weakened immunity, reproductive health problems and accelerated ageing. Among older adults aged 50 to 60, chronic abuse can result in cognitive decline resembling dementia, heart disease and organ failure, placing additional strain on healthcare systems.
Speaking, the convener of the colloquium, Dr. Daniel Buba stressed the need for effective leadership to drive national development. He described Nigeria’s most valuable resource as the human mind and argued that visionary leadership can unlock the nation’s abundant natural resources for sustainable growth.
In his keynote address, Professor Vincent Ojeh underscored the link between leadership and nation-building, stating that the ultimate goal of leadership is to produce more leaders capable of transforming society.
The colloquium concluded with a unanimous call for stronger policies, heightened public awareness and renewed leadership commitment to address substance abuse and promote sustainable development across the country.
