The [National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)](https://ndlea.gov.ng) said it has counselled, treated and rehabilitated 53,843 drug‑dependent individuals through its 31 rehabilitation centres nationwide and has organised 17,213 outreach activities under the [War Against Drug Abuse (WADA)](https://ndlea.gov.ng/wada) programme over the past five years, according to Chairman [Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Buba_Marwa).
Key figures released at the 4th Vanguard Mental Health Summit in Lagos include: 53,843 people receiving counselling, treatment and rehabilitation; 31 centres operating across the federation; and 17,213 community‑based outreach sessions targeting schools, markets, places of worship and workplaces. Marwa remarked, “Behind almost every case of drug abuse is a story of pain: anxiety nobody noticed, depression nobody named, trauma nobody treated.”
**What link did the agency draw between mental health and drug misuse?**
Marwa emphasized that substance abuse and mental‑health challenges are tightly interwoven. He noted that many youths turn to narcotics as a coping mechanism for untreated anxiety, depression or trauma, and warned that tackling drug trafficking without addressing underlying psychological issues would limit the impact of enforcement actions.
**How is digital technology affecting drug consumption among young Nigerians?**
The chairman warned that increased exposure to cyber‑bullying, unrealistic social comparisons, prolonged screen time and online content that glamorises drug use heighten vulnerability. He also highlighted that traffickers are exploiting social media platforms to market substances, calling for stronger, youth‑focused digital campaigns to counteract these narratives.
**What solutions were proposed at the summit?**
Marwa urged the government to make affordable mental‑health and addiction services accessible regardless of income or location, to train more professionals, and to integrate mental‑health care into primary health facilities. He advocated for early identification of at‑risk students, reduction of stigma through community education, and a coordinated effort among agencies, educators, civil‑society groups, the private sector and the media to expand prevention, referral and treatment programmes.
Addressing young attendees, Marwa encouraged them to seek help promptly, support peers, and reject drug use, assuring them that their challenges do not diminish their potential. “Your struggles are real, but so is your potential. Seek help early, speak up, look out for one another, and say no to drugs. Your life is worth more than any substance,” he concluded.