Medical experts have called on the Federal and State Governments to declare a state of emergency on substance abuse, warning that the escalating trend poses a critical threat to Nigeria’s mental health and national future.
The professionals argued that the current level of drug misuse requires an urgent, coordinated response from both tiers of government to prevent a total breakdown of the country’s social and mental health framework. They noted that the surge in addiction is no longer just a social issue but a full-scale public health crisis.
The demand for intervention follows recent assessments of the rising trend of addiction, which suggest that existing regulatory and healthcare measures are struggling to keep pace with the consumption of various psychoactive substances.
Consequences of drug misuse on mental health
According to the medical experts, the rise in substance abuse is directly linked to a surge in mental health disorders across the country. They warned that without a declared state of emergency, the capacity of existing psychiatric hospitals and rehabilitation centres will be completely overwhelmed by the growing number of addicts.
The experts pointed out that the issue extends beyond individual health, affecting the economic productivity of the nation. With a significant portion of the youth population becoming incapacitated by drug-related illnesses, the long-term stability of the country’s human capital is at risk. The reliance on substances such as tramadol, codeine, and various locally manufactured synthetic drugs has become a pervasive problem in many urban and rural communities.
The call for a state of emergency is intended to trigger increased funding, improved inter-agency cooperation between the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and various health ministries, and the establishment of more robust community-based rehabilitation programmes. Many professionals argue that the current response is too heavily weighted toward law enforcement and criminal justice, which fails to address the clinical and psychological needs of those suffering from addiction.
Furthermore, the lack of adequate mental health infrastructure makes it difficult for many Nigerians to access professional help before addiction leads to permanent cognitive impairment or violent behaviour. Experts stated that a state of emergency would allow for the rapid deployment of resources to state-level mental health agencies and the integration of addiction services into primary healthcare.
While the Federal Government has previously implemented various anti-drug campaigns, medical professionals maintain that these measures are insufficient to tackle the scale of the current crisis. They are advocating for a systemic shift that prioritises clinical intervention and mental health support over purely punitive measures.
The government has yet to issue a formal response to the proposal, and policymakers are expected to weigh the administrative and financial implications of declaring such an emergency. However, health advocates insist that the cost of inaction will far outweigh the investment required for a comprehensive mental health intervention.
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