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Our reporter | 26th Dec. 2023
CALABAR – In a recent cross-sectional study conducted by the Health Action Support Initiative in Cross River State, concerning findings revealed the alarming prevalence of drug and substance abuse in specific communities. Sankwanla, Idomi, and Uyanga were identified as the epicenters of this concerning trend. The study, spanning from May to November of the previous year, involved surveying 1,800 young people aged 15 to 29 across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
Edem Ekpenyong, the Executive Director of the Health Action Support Initiative, disclosed that the prevalence of drug and substance abuse stood at 45.7%. The most abused substances were alcohol and cigarettes, with codeine-containing syrup and tramadol surpassing cannabis in terms of usage. The study shed light on the motives behind drug abuse, citing a desire to ‘get high’ and cope with emotional problems stemming from socioeconomic and societal factors.
The Health Action Support Initiative’s comprehensive report is currently undergoing verification by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the authoritative source and custodian of official statistics in Nigeria. Once endorsed, the report will be made public, contributing valuable insights into the pervasive issue of drug abuse in Cross River State.
In conjunction with this, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported a noteworthy accomplishment in its battle against drug trafficking. The NDLEA command in Cross River disclosed the seizure of 2.05 tons of hard drugs and the arrest of 223 suspects between January and December of the previous year. State Commander Rachel Umebuali shared these details during a recent interview in Calabar.
The seized narcotics included cannabis, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and psychotropics, with 1.64 tonnes of cannabis among the confiscated substances. Commander Umebuali expressed concern over the escalating cases of drug abuse among the youth, identifying vehicles and motorbikes as the primary modes of operation for drug peddlers. Despite challenges such as inadequate operational vehicles, inaccessible roads, and issues related to cultism and communal crises, the NDLEA command highlighted its success in the outgoing year.
The NDLEA aims to build on this success in the coming year, acknowledging the need to address challenges such as inadequate resources, inaccessible roads, and societal issues contributing to drug abuse among the youth. The collaborative efforts between the Health Action Support Initiative and NDLEA underscore the urgency of addressing the complex issue of drug abuse for the well-being of communities in Cross River State.