By Suleiman Tajudeen
CITIZENS COMPASS— Drug abuse is the intentional, non-medical use of psychoactive substances in amounts or ways that are harmful to the physical, psychological, social, or professional well-being of the user.
Characteristics
Non-medical purpose:Using drugs without a doctor’s prescription, or in excess of prescribed dosage.
Dependence: The body or mind becomes reliant on the substance to function.
Continued use: The user keeps using even when it affects health, work, or legal standing.
Commonly abused drugs in Nigeria: Cannabis/Marijuana ‘Igbo’, Tramadol, Codeine-based cough syrup, Diazepam/Rohypnol, Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine ‘Mkpuru Mmiri’, and excessive alcohol.
For security personnel, drug abuse also includes taking ‘stay-awake’ drugs before or during duty, which impairs judgment and operational effectiveness.
Historical perspective
Drug abuse in Nigeria has evolved from isolated cases to a national security concern.
Pre-Independence and 1960s: Cannabis was the primary drug. Use was limited and largely cultural. Laws like the Indian Hemp Act of 1935 criminalized it.
1970s – 1980s (Post-Civil War & Oil Boom): Nigeria became a transit route for heroin and cocaine due to increased international travel and porous borders. Military personnel on foreign missions were exposed.
1990s – 2000s: The military government declared a ‘war on drugs’. NDLEA was established in 1989. Reports of personnel involvement in trafficking and use began to surface, especially at border posts.
2010 – Present (Pharmaceutical Era): There was a sharp rise in abuse of prescription drugs – Codeine, Tramadol, and Diazepam – because they are cheap and easily accessible. The 2018 BBC ‘Sweet, Sweet Codeine’ documentary forced government action. From 2021, Methamphetamine ‘Mkpuru Mmiri’ became a major crisis.
Among security personnel: Initially, cases were few and hidden. The rise of insurgency in the Northeast, prolonged deployments, and stress-related trauma from 2009 onward led to….
To be continued…
For questions or medical consultations, contact Dr. Suleiman Tajudeen, CEO and Director of Clinical Psychology, Clear Mind Psychological Consult, Km 15, Badagry Expressway, Ojo, Lagos. +234 803 402 4457
