From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Institute for Public Safety and Prevention of Sociopathic Behaviour, and the African Youth Initiative on Crime Prevention (AYICRIP) Nigeria, have raised concerns over drug abuse, especially among youths within organizations.
This was the crux of a two-day workshop on Drug and Substance Abuse Prevention in the Workplace, yesterday in Abuja, to mark International Workers’ Day.
The theme of the event was: “Creating a Safe Work Environment and Enhancing Productivity for Organizational Sustainability.”
The Institute’s Rector, Amb. Chris Ibe, said the workshop marked the first national training on workplace drug abuse prevention, organized to tackle the growing crisis in line with the 2025 International Workers’ Day observance.
“This is a huge concern to the global community, especially here in Nigeria where drug abuse is alarmingly high.
“According to the National Drug Use Survey, Nigeria has 14.4 million drug users, far above the global average.”
Ibe noted that while advocacy had largely focused on reducing drug demand and supply, drug abuse in the workplace remains a neglected area. “This is what we are addressing in partnership with AYICRIP,” he added.
Highlighting Nigeria’s low productivity, Ibe said: “We are a consumption nation. What is our productivity level? How much is drug and substance abuse contributing to this crisis?”
He described the trend of working under the influence—“drunk at work, drunk and driving”—as a dangerous practice seen even among law enforcement officers. “How can a drunk officer with a gun ensure safety? How productive can a drunk employee be?” he asked.
Ibe also questioned whether organizations have policies to support workers struggling with addiction. “Do companies have recovery programmes? What are the existing workplace laws on drug and substance abuse?” he queried.
He said the workshop brought together stakeholders from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), civil society, academia, and government institutions to find lasting solutions.
“We are also working with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation,” Ibe said, adding that the upcoming 11th National Youth Summit on Drug and Substance Abuse will be held from November 25 to 27.
Also, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute, Emmanuel Ibe, stressed the need for early intervention and parental involvement in preventing substance abuse.
“Most people into substance abuse started in their teens. Prevention must begin from childhood,” he said. “Parents must monitor their children, guide them, and prevent associations with bad influences.”
He emphasized the need for family, schools, religious institutions, and the government to work together to achieve zero tolerance for drug abuse in the country.
“No level of alcohol is good for the system. Yet many parents unknowingly fund their children’s harmful habits,” he noted. “If you drive through Abuja streets at night, you see youths driving recklessly—this is the result of lack of guidance.”
Ibe urged religious institutions to actively preach against drug abuse and promote moral values among young people.