Drug Abuse: Expert Urges FG to Prioritise Prevention Over Punishment

A United States based Nigerian prevention scientist, Dr. Olanrewaju Lawal, has called on the Federal Government to adopt a prevention-centred strategy to curb the rising tide of drug and substance abuse among Nigerian youths.

Lawal, a researcher in Youth Development and Family Science, said Nigeria’s current approach remains largely reactive focusing more on rehabilitation and law enforcement while neglecting early, community-based interventions that can stop the problem before it begins.

Speaking ahead of his presentation at the 2025 National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, Lawal stressed that Nigeria must treat drug prevention as a national public health priority rather than a side issue.

“Globally, prevention works best when interventions reach young people at every level individual, family, school, and community,” he said. “Nigeria has one of the fastest-growing youth populations in the world, yet our prevention infrastructure is almost nonexistent.

We need a paradigm shift, from punishment to prevention, and from isolated programmes to multi-level strategies.”

The scientist, whose research focuses on identifying protective factors against substance-use disorders, highlighted key elements such as open family communication, parental monitoring, positive peer relationships, and strong community networks as crucial safeguards for adolescents.

He noted that these models could be tailored for Nigeria through innovative means, including digital platforms, mobile health tools, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven systems capable of identifying at-risk youths and providing culturally relevant interventions.

“Every naira spent on prevention saves the country tenfold in treatment, crime, and lost productivity,” Lawal said. “Policymakers should treat prevention as a cornerstone of national public health strategy, not an afterthought.”

Lawal also urged the government to invest in capacity building within schools, community-based organisations, and local health agencies, adding that prevention science should be integrated into Nigeria’s long-term development agenda.

According to him, strengthening evidence-based prevention frameworks would not only reduce substance abuse but also enhance the overall well-being, productivity, and resilience of Nigeria’s young population.

“Drug prevention is not just about stopping drug use,” he said. “It’s about building stronger families, safer communities, and a more productive nation.”