Across Africa, drug and substance abuse has shifted from a peripheral social concern into a major public health and security crisis. The problem has become both widespread and complex. It involves traditional substances like alcohol and cannabis, as well as prescription drugs such as tramadol and codeine. In Nigeria, substance abuse has a direct link to insecurity, especially terrorism and banditry. Reports by the NDLEA and military interrogations of Boko Haram and bandit suspects in the North-East and North-West repeatedly show heavy use of tramadol, cannabis, and methamphetamine to suppress fear, enhance aggression, and sustain long periods of violence during attacks. However, any serious attempt to address this crisis must be rooted in evidence, tailored to local realities, and sustained over time. Short-term crackdowns or moral appeals alone are not enough. The solutions demand structural change in health systems, regulation, education, community involvement, and law enforcement.
The Scope of the Problem
In Nigeria, recent research paints a stark picture. According to data from the UNODC, 1 in 7 Nigerians aged 15 to 64 used drugs in the past year, with prevalence estimates around 14 to 20% in the general population. Among students and youths, the rates are even higher. Several studies report 20 to 40% abuse prevalence in secondary school and university populations. Commonly misused substances include cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, tramadol, codeine, heroin, and various benzodiazepines. Easy access through pharmacies, open markets, and informal channels fuels this trend. Prescription opioid misuse is especially notable. Tramadol and codeine-containing syrups have been widely abused by young people and adults alike, often to “get high,” numb emotional stress, or cope with laborious work conditions. In some communities, opioid use has become normalized, which reflects a shift from experimental use to entrenched dependency.
In Ghana, the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) has documented recreational use of opioids and continues regulatory and enforcement efforts against smuggling and illicit sale. The board’s work includes public education campaigns and inspections at borders to disrupt trafficking. However, the substance abuse problem persists among youth, with major portions of young people reporting tramadol use recreationally. These patterns are not just statistics; they translate into fractured families, school dropouts, workplace absenteeism, increased violence, mental health crises, and rising healthcare costs. The World Health Organization estimates that harmful alcohol use alone accounts for millions of deaths annually in Africa, which compounds the wider substance abuse burden.
Why the Crisis Persists
Meanwhile, several factors drive substance abuse on the continent. The first is socioeconomic pressure. Youth unemployment, poverty, and lack of opportunity make substance use an attractive, albeit destructive, coping mechanism. The second factor is the accessibility of drugs. Weak regulation of pharmaceutical sales, informal drug markets, and porous borders make both legal and illicit substances easy to obtain. There are also cultural factors. Alcohol and local brews are often socially embedded in ceremonies and daily life, which blurs the line between casual use and addiction. Lastly, there is an insufficient health service. Treatment and rehabilitation resources are limited, and existing drug laws tend to prioritize punishment over health-oriented interventions. This complexity means that simple solutions, such as arresting users, do little to address underlying causes or help addicted individuals recover.
A Multi-Pronged Strategy for Change
The following strategies will go a long way:
i. Strengthen Public Education and Awareness
Education campaigns must go beyond generic warnings to address why young people use drugs and offer concrete alternatives. Programs in schools, community centres, and through social media should educate about the physical, psychological, and social consequences of substance abuse. This means engaging teachers, parents, and peer leaders in frank, culturally relevant conversations about risk factors, coping skills, and resilience. In Ghana, multimedia campaigns such as “Do Drugs Control Your Life?” have been used to raise public awareness, targeting high-school students with discussions, creative competitions, and community forums. Nigeria has supported similar outreach through public service messaging by government agencies, although the scale and consistency of these efforts must grow.
ii. Expand Treatment and Rehabilitation Services
Across Africa, treatment for substance abuse remains limited, poorly funded, and unevenly distributed. Governments must invest in accessible treatment centres, trained addiction professionals, and community rehabilitation programs. Health systems should incorporate substance use disorder care into primary health services so that individuals can seek help without stigma or extreme cost. Mobile outreach clinics, telemedicine counselling, and partnerships with non-profits can extend reach into rural and underserved areas.
iii. Reform Drug Policy Toward Public Health
Criminalizing personal use often drives users underground and discourages them from seeking help. The West Africa Commission on Drugs, led by regional leaders including former Nigerian President Obasanjo, advocates policy reform to decriminalize possession of small amounts and shift focus to treatment and supply interdiction. Ghana’s ban on codeine syrup and regulatory tightening of opioid sales illustrate how policy can change availability and signal seriousness. Nigeria can build on its existing legal framework, such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act, by pairing enforcement with diversion programs that emphasize rehabilitation and reintegration.
iv. Empower Communities and Families
Community networks are essential for early identification and support. Faith organizations, youth clubs, and local leaders should be enlisted to destigmatize conversations about addiction, organize peer support groups, and mentor at-risk youth. Traditional leadership structures can endorse drug-free role models and channel resources to locally tailored solutions.
v. Enhance Regional Cooperation and Enforcement
Finally, drug trafficking and production are transnational, and no country can tackle them alone. Regional collaboration, through information sharing, coordinated border patrols, and harmonized regulations, can reduce the supply of illicit drugs. Ghana’s NACOB involvement in Operation West Bridge, along with international partners, has demonstrated the value of cross-border efforts.
Conclusion
Curbing drug and substance abuse in Africa, especially in Nigeria and Ghana, requires a holistic, sustained, evidence-based approach. It demands political courage to reframe drug policy as a public health issue, investment in treatment and prevention infrastructure, and deep community engagement. The cost of inaction is high: a lost generation of youth, escalating health crises, and social instability. But with coordinated leadership across sectors, Africa can turn the tide on substance abuse and build healthier, more resilient societies.
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