How Nigeria law impede Substance abuse fight

By  Vincent Oghenerukevwe.

Warri - The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised serious concerns over the lack of adequate legal backing to tackle the growing menace of substance abuse beyond conventional narcotics in Nigeria. The agency warned that existing laws are outdated and do not reflect the evolving realities of substance misuse across the country.

Established by Decree No. 48 of January 1990, the NDLEA is mandated to combat the cultivation, processing, trafficking, and sale of hard drugs. However, experts and stakeholders argue that the agency’s current legal framework is too limited to address the rising abuse of non-controlled substances, including common household and industrial products increasingly being misused for psychoactive effects.

Officials noted that apart from Section 13 of the NDLEA Act—which was repealed in 2003—no significant legislative amendments have been made to strengthen the agency’s powers. This failure by successive administrations to review and update the law has, according to the agency, weakened its ability to act decisively against individuals and organizations promoting substance abuse. As a result, perpetrators continue to operate with minimal fear of prosecution.

These concerns were highlighted during a roundtable meeting held in Warri, Delta State, organized by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in partnership with the Foundation for Development and Community Engagement (FDCE). Representatives from the NDLEA Delta State Command disclosed that the current law does not empower the agency to clamp down on cartels and networks involved in the abuse of substances that fall outside the list of controlled drugs.

Stakeholders at the meeting also raised alarm over the increasing rate of abuse of domestic substances. A representative of Chevron Nigeria Limited warned that many individuals are turning to easily accessible materials in search of euphoric experiences. This trend, they noted, is becoming widespread due to the availability and low cost of such substances.

The representative further explained that while initiating substance use may appear easy, stopping often proves difficult, leading to dependency and serious health risks. Medical experts warn that prolonged abuse of such substances can result in severe damage to brain cells, many of which do not regenerate, thereby causing long-term cognitive and psychological harm.

In her closing remarks, the Director of Research and Advocacy at FDCE, Sheye Mene, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to addressing the crisis. She emphasized the importance of collaboration among government agencies, civil society groups, and private sector stakeholders in tackling substance abuse. She also noted that FDCE is ready to provide professional support and rehabilitation services to affected individuals.

The outcome of the roundtable discussion underscores the urgent need for comprehensive legislative reforms to strengthen the NDLEA’s mandate. Stakeholders believe that updating the agency’s legal framework is critical to enabling it to effectively respond to the changing dynamics of substance abuse in Nigeria and safeguard public health.