A Counselling Psychologist, Dr Gloria Eifediyi, has raised concerns over the increasing rate of substance abuse among Nigerian youths.
Eifediyi gave the warning as the guest lecturer at the 7th Annual Lecture Series of the Josemaria Escriva Foundation held on Tuesday in Ekpoma.
Eifediyi, a Counselling Psychologist at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo, delivered a lecture titled: “The High Cost of Getting High: Understanding the Risks of Substance Abuse.”
She emphasized that substance abuse could lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, and bipolar disorder.
According to Eifediyi, the root causes of substance abuse among youths include broken homes, negative social media influence, boredom, and unresolved trauma.
“Drug abuse can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, and bipolar disorder. As a society, we are losing our workforce,” she said.
She called for a united front among stakeholders to combat the scourge, emphasizing that drug abusers were victims who need help, not criminals.
The expert urged parents to be more involved in their children’s lives, know their friends, and listen to them, while law enforcement agencies should clamp down on traffickers and outlets distributing drugs to young people.
Eifediyi’s warning comes amid alarming statistics, with approximately 14-14.6 million Nigerians aged 15-64 engaging in non-medical drug use, translating to a prevalence rate of 14.3-14.6 percent—well above the global average of 5.3 percent.
The Josemaria Escriva Foundation, which organized the lecture, had been sounding the alarm on the rising use of various substances among youths.
Chief Responsibility Officer of the Josemaria Escriva Foundation and Convener of the event,Comrade Jude Obasanmi, noted that people were becoming more creative with harmful substances, highlighting the need for collective action to address the issue.
Meanwhile , the Foundation inducted new board members at the event. They are Mr James Agbogun, Mr Peters Aisagbonhi; Dr (Mrs) Funmilayo Olumese; Rev. Fr. Moses Abukimen and Mr Fabian Ohiigbhochie.
The oath-taking was administered by the Chief Judge of Edo, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, represented by Chief Magistrate Stephen Ugah
Speaking on behalf of the new inductees, Mr Agbogun pledged their commitment to upholding the values of the Foundation and offering all necessary support to advance its mission.
(NAN)
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