Health and safety professionals have warned that substance abuse among young people threatens mental health and road safety, calling for early intervention, public awareness and improved access to professional treatment.

They spoke at an event organised by WalrusX and Terra Kona Decks of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), in partnership with the Kairos Embrace Foundation, to mark World Mental Health Day in Ikorodu, Lagos.

A consultant psychiatrist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr Shakiru Oyedokun, said the occasion provided an opportunity to raise awareness about mental health conditions, available treatments and the stigma that prevents many people from seeking help.

Speaking on this year’s theme, Lived Experience: Re-voices, Re-change, Oyedokun stressed the importance of allowing people who had experienced mental health challenges to share their stories and encourage others facing similar difficulties.

He expressed concern about substance abuse among young people, warning that it could impair judgment, emotional regulation and their ability to function effectively.

He called for mental health education in secondary schools, stronger workplace support and policies that would enable people to seek treatment without fear of discrimination.

The psychiatrist cautioned against treating substance use solely as a disciplinary issue, particularly in schools, saying young people struggling with addiction needed professional assessment, counselling and treatment rather than punishment or stigmatisation.

He also urged families to support relatives experiencing mental health difficulties, noting that caregivers needed assistance to cope with the emotional demands of caring for affected loved ones.

On road safety, the Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ikorodu, Superintendent Elvis Ehizojie Eromosele, said driving required concentration, sound judgment and the ability to respond appropriately to changing road conditions.

He explained that emotional distress caused by family problems, financial pressures and other personal challenges could affect drivers’ concentration and decision-making.

Eromosele urged motorists to avoid alcohol and other impairing substances, refrain from using mobile phones while driving, and pull over safely before answering calls.

He also warned against driving when emotionally distressed or too distracted to operate a vehicle safely.

Citing a recent collision involving a train and an SUV, he stressed the need for motorists to exercise caution and obey safety instructions around railway crossings.

He further urged drivers to comply with traffic regulations and vehicle owners to ensure that anyone using their vehicles did so responsibly.

Also speaking, an official of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CSN Victoria Omolorun, highlighted the link between substance abuse and mental health in a presentation titled Mental Health and Drug Abuse: Through Lived Experience.

She shared accounts of young people who became dependent on drugs after peer influence or attempts to cope with emotional pain.

In one case, a student began taking tramadol after friends told him it would help him study through the night but later developed sleep difficulties, hallucinations and aggressive behaviour.

Another account involved a young woman who turned to codeine syrup after her father’s death but subsequently experienced worsening sadness and lost interest in everyday activities.

Omolorun said the accounts demonstrated how substance use could worsen psychological difficulties, stressing that affected individuals needed support rather than shame or discrimination.

She called for safe spaces where young people could discuss their problems openly and urged parents, teachers, counsellors and healthcare professionals to work together to identify warning signs early and guide affected individuals towards appropriate care.

Earlier, the Capoon of WalrusX Deck of NAS, Olugbenga Bassey, said the association had sustained its health advocacy programmes for more than 10 years to bridge knowledge gaps and promote healthier communities.

He said the initiative aimed to bring health information and professional guidance closer to people who might not otherwise have access to them.

The speakers called for stronger collaboration among families, schools, healthcare professionals, community organisations and road safety agencies to improve access to treatment, tackle substance abuse and reduce preventable road crashes.