Worried by the rising menace in drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the country, a faith-based group under the auspices of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry (CADAM) has called for proactive measures to ensure a drug-free society, checkmate the menace and provide help for victims of drug abuse.

Nigeria has at least 14.3 million people between the ages of 15 and 64 who abused drugs in 2017 with one in seven persons in this age group involved, which is against a global average of one in 20 persons. Curiously, one in four persons who abuse drugs are women.

Speaking at a walk against drug abuse in Ikeja, Lagos, the Director General of CADAM, Dokun Adedeji, described drug abuse as a phenomenon, which is a poison to the wellbeing of the youth. “This year’s theme highlights that justice and health are two sides of the same coin when it comes to addressing drug problems.

“The menace of drug and substance abuse has taken a new dimension with more of our youth population daily getting involved with little or no remorse. One would readily arrogate this to youthful exuberance and rising pop culture as well as lack of awareness of the heath implications of their habits.”
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