Sir: In the words of Samuel Johnson, ‘‘the chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.’’
There is an increasing menace of the habitual use of drugs among young people. This trend is growing rapidly and seeks to destroy the lives of our youth. Different government agencies, such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), must rise to their responsibilities and lead the campaign against the dangers of drug abuse among young people.
As of today, millions of young people are addicted to various kinds of drugs for recreational purposes, ranging from alcohol, shisha, colorado, marijuana, skuchies, tramadol, codeine, and cigarettes, just to mention a few, all of which have a deeply detrimental effect on the future of our youth.
The youths are the backbone of every nation. They represent the strength, creativity, innovation, and future leadership of society. Every developed country has invested heavily in empowering its young people because it recognises that the progress of a nation depends largely on the character, knowledge, and productivity of its youth. Nigeria is no exception. With one of the largest youth populations in Africa, the country possesses enormous human potential capable of driving economic growth, technological advancement, political stability, and social development.
National transformation begins with responsible and productive citizens. Young people contribute to nation-building by excelling in education, entrepreneurship, agriculture, technology, healthcare, sports, public service, and the creative industries. Through hard work, discipline, and innovation, they create jobs, solve societal problems, strengthen democratic institutions, and promote peace and unity.
Their energy and talents are indispensable to achieving sustainable national development.
However, drug abuse remains one of the greatest threats to the future of Nigerian youths. The abuse of substances such as cannabis, tramadol, codeine, cocaine, methamphetamine, and excessive alcohol weakens the physical and mental capacity of young people. Drug abuse reduces academic performance, destroys careers, fuels crime and violence, damages families, and increases unemployment. A nation cannot achieve meaningful development when a significant portion of its most productive population is trapped in addiction.
Every young person should understand that drugs do not create success; they destroy potential. Temporary pleasure from drug use often results in long-term consequences such as poor health, loss of opportunities, damaged relationships, financial hardship, and, in some cases, imprisonment or premature death. The dreams of many talented young people have been cut short because of substance abuse.
For Nigeria to experience genuine national transformation, its youth must choose healthy lifestyles, pursue education and skills, embrace entrepreneurship, respect the law, and become ambassadors of positive change. Parents, schools, religious institutions, communities, and government agencies also have a shared responsibility to educate young people about the dangers of drug abuse and to provide support systems that encourage positive choices.
The future of Nigeria lies in the hands of its youth. By rejecting drugs and embracing discipline, integrity, hard work, and innovation, young people become powerful agents of national transformation. A drug-free youth population is healthier, more productive, more creative, and better equipped to build a peaceful, prosperous, and globally competitive Nigeria. Every young Nigerian should, therefore, make a personal commitment to stay away from drugs and contribute meaningfully to the development and transformation of the nation.
I strongly support the NAFDAC campaign to ban the sale of sachet alcoholic drinks. Someone once said, “The best gift to give to children is a good example.” Children and teenagers must emulate what is good and have positive role models as they grow up to become responsible citizens.
An example of a country that was successful in eliminating drug use among young people is Iceland.
Iceland is widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest success stories in the fight against youth drug addiction. During the 1990s, the country faced alarming levels of alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and drug use among teenagers. Rather than relying mainly on punishment, the Icelandic government adopted a comprehensive prevention strategy that focused on families, schools, communities, and healthy youth development.
The government invested heavily in sports, music, arts, and recreational activities, ensuring that every young person had access to positive after-school programmes. Parents were encouraged to spend more time with their children, while schools, local governments, and community organisations worked together to create a supportive environment. Curfews for younger teenagers were introduced, and regular national surveys helped policymakers understand youth behaviour and adjust programmes based on evidence.
Over time, these coordinated efforts produced remarkable results. Rates of alcohol use, cigarette smoking, and illicit drug use among Icelandic teenagers fell dramatically, making the country one of the safest places in the world for young people in terms of substance abuse. The Icelandic model has since inspired many countries seeking effective ways to prevent youth drug addiction.
The success of Iceland demonstrates that preventing drug addiction requires more than law enforcement.
Strong families, quality education, community involvement, access to sports and creative activities, and evidence-based public policies can significantly reduce substance abuse among young people. Iceland’s experience remains an important example for nations aiming to build healthier and more productive generations.
All hands must be on deck to fight this dangerous menace among young people, and I believe our society will be free from this dangerous threat that seeks to destroy our youth.
Tobiloba Ahmed, public affairs writer, can be reached via ahmed.a.oluwatobi@gmail.com
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