By Osayi Aghahowa
The Edo Government has reiterated its commitment to combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking through strengthened prevention, enforcement, treatment and rehabilitation programmes across the state.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Eugenia Abdallah, said this in Benin on Friday during activities marking the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The annual observance, commemorated on June 26, brings together governments, development partners, civil society organisations and citizens to renew commitments toward addressing substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
Abdallah described drug abuse and illicit trafficking as major threats to public health, social cohesion, security and sustainable development.
She cited data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the National Drug Use Survey, indicating that about 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 use psychoactive substances.
According to her, the figure represents 14.4 per cent of Nigeria’s population within that age bracket and is more than twice the global prevalence rate of 5.6 per cent.
The commissioner said that the South-South geopolitical zone, including Edo, remains among the regions most affected by substance abuse and illicit drug activities.
She disclosed that records from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) showed that the Edo Command arrested 462 suspected drug offenders in 2025 and seized 207.6 kilogrammes of illicit drugs.
Abdallah further revealed that between January and March 2026, the NDLEA intercepted 18.38 kilogrammes of illicit drugs with an estimated street value of about N1.8 billion in the state.
She said drug abuse contributes to crime, mental health disorders, domestic violence, school dropouts, unemployment, family breakdown and declining productivity within communities.
Abdallah said that, in line with the SHINE Agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo, the government had established state and local government drug control committees to coordinate response efforts.
The commissioner added that the government would continue expanding rehabilitation infrastructure to improve access to treatment, counselling and long-term recovery support services.
She said that the ministry had intensified interventions, including the evacuation of mentally challenged persons from the streets, psychosocial support, rehabilitation services and family reintegration where possible.
Abdallah called on parents, schools, religious institutions, traditional rulers, civil society groups and the media to support efforts aimed at preventing drug abuse and curbing illicit trafficking.
“Drug abuse is preventable, treatment is available and recovery is possible. Together, we can build a safer and healthier Edo,” she said
Also speaking, a Social Welfare Officer in the Rehabilitation Department of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Esther Eruanga, said existing rehabilitation facilities were insufficient to meet growing demand.
She said that available centres were overstretched and unable to adequately provide treatment, counselling and psychosocial support for persons affected by substance abuse.
Eruanga called for increased investment in rehabilitation infrastructure and stronger collaboration with non-governmental organisations and private sector partners to bridge existing service gaps.
She explained that effective rehabilitation required a continuum of care, including medical detoxification, psychological counselling, behavioural therapy, vocational training and reintegration programmes to sustain recovery.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru