Experts have identified cannabis sativa, opioids, and alcohol as the most abused substances among patients, as drug cases continue to skyrocket.

They made this known in separate interviews in Ibadan, commemorating the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Friday.

The day is commemorated annually on June 26.

The Registrar, Psychiatry Department of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oluwagbemi Ibrahim, identified cannabis, opioids, tobacco, alcohol and amphetamines as the most abused substances among patients in clinics across Ibadan and in Oyo State generally, in 2026.

Mrs Ibrahim said that while cannabis, opioids and alcohol remained the most prevalent, amphetamine use among other substances was also being recorded.

According to the psychiatrist, initiation of psychoactive substance use commonly occurs during adolescence, ages 15 to 19 years, based on World Health Organisation (WHO) data.

However, she added that substance use disorders were mostly seen in individuals between 18 and 35 years.

“Youths start drugs due to peer influence, the need to belong or fit into certain circles, youthful exploration to satisfy curiosities, and having role models who engage in substance use,” she said.

Mrs Ibrahim added that some youths using drugs did so as a means to escape from or cope with life challenges and stressors, while others employed it for recreational purposes.

Regarding health complications, she said the most common damages she treated included dependence on psychoactive substances, psychotic and mood disorders, as drugs altered thought, perception, mood and behaviour.

She listed organ damage, such as liver damage, endocrine and cardiovascular disorders like diabetes mellitus and systemic hypertension, as other physical health dangers of drug abuse.

She advised youths to learn to say “no” when offered drugs because “when the consequences surface, they will bear it alone.”

She urged young people to keep only friends who did not use drugs, avoid places where drugs were available, and employ healthy strategies for coping with life challenges while asking for help when needed.

“Don’t be idle! Get busy with productive activities,” she advised.

The psychiatrist also called on parents to serve as worthy role models and to be more present in their children’s lives to protect and guide them.

“When it comes to drugs, prevention is better than cure, but if you are already a victim of addiction, you have hope if you ask for help,” she said.

Oluwatobi Fatoki, a legal practitioner, raised concern over the rising number of drug-related offences in Nigerian courts, saying that cases before the Federal High Court had “skyrocketed”.

Mr Fatoki said the compounding increase in drug cases “saddens one’s heart”.

According to him, the Federal High Court adjudicates drug law enforcement in Nigeria, and the NDLEA remains the lead agency empowered to checkmate the spread of illegal and hard drugs.

“Anyone can get hard drugs anywhere now. NDLEA cannot do it alone; the Nigeria Customs Service also has a pivotal role to play in curbing the spread of drugs.

“NAFDAC has a role to play too, as well as the society at large,” he said.

According to the lawyer, illegal substances that aid criminality and affect youths today are being intercepted at borders and within the country.

In Ibadan, he said cases brought by NDLEA bordered mostly on cannabis sativa, while people also dealt in cocaine, heroin, codeine and others.

“But the most common is cannabis sativa,” he emphasised.

Mr Fatoki explained that the punishment for drug offences was based on the quantity trafficked, with courts sometimes convicting for three months if the quantity was 500 grams or less.

“The court at times could temper justice with mercy, and it ranges from three months, four months, six months; even two years, depending, with or without option of fine,” he said.

However, he noted that for high quantity trafficking, especially kilograms of substances found in one’s possession, sentences are stricter.

“Most cases its two years and above in this instance for the punishment, also with or without the option of a fine, depending on the defendant’s plea of allocutus,” he said.

According to the legal practitioner, this shows how serious drug trafficking and dealing in illegal substances are, though NDLEA appeals that punishment be stricter, like life imprisonment.

Apart from judicial measures, he said NDLEA was also empowered to seal facilities that produced or engaged in the production of “hard” substances.

Mr Fatoki, therefore, urged the NDLEA to be more proficient, efficient and determined to wage war against the illicit spread of hard drugs.

“It’s high time they took the bull by the horns to fight cases related to drug abuse. The law also should investigate and prosecute,” he said.

(NAN)