Yola: A Consultant psychiatrist, Dr Joel Umar, said a high level of drug abuse had led to more pressure in health facilities and judiciary sectors in Adamawa.
Umar stated this at the commemoration of the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Thursday in Yola.
He said more than 50 per cent of patients admitted to the Psychiatric Unit, Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital, Yola, between January to June 2025 were drug-related cases.
According to him, the evidence is clear, and the same thing in the judiciary as most of the crimes committed by young people were the result of drug abuse.
He added that some of the factors that drove the abusers were ignorance, poor parenting, and societal and environmental factors.
Umar called on parents to double their efforts to ensure good parenting to save the future of their children.
He called on the youth to understand that the more they abuse drugs, the more they are taking poison.
Aliyu Abubakar, the state National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Commander, called on all stakeholders to collaborate with the agency in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
He said the theme of the 2025 commemoration, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” was timely, and the command would do a lot against the menace.
According to him, the agency is committed to combating the scourge of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the state.
In his remarks, the Paramount Ruler of Sheleng Chiefdom, Dr Dishon Dansanda, appreciated the contribution of the NDLEA and called on politicians to desist from giving the youth substances that could lead to abuse so that they can achieve their goals in the state.
Dansanda, represented by the District Head of Sheleng, Abdullahi Daso, urged all stakeholders to join hands for sensitisation to better the future of the young generation.
