By Balogun Tumininu | InsiderNg | 21.03.25
Dr. Abdulwaheed Atanda Isiaq, a senior lecturer at the University of Ilorin’s Department of Political Science, has sounded the alarm on the escalating issue of drug abuse in Kwara State and Nigeria. Speaking at the Second Kwara Stakeholders Summit, Dr. Isiaq emphasized that a comprehensive and sustainable strategy is needed to address the problem.
Dr. Isiaq attributed the alarming rise in drug abuse, particularly among the youth, to a combination of economic hardship, unemployment, peer pressure, mental health challenges, and societal influences. He stressed that punitive measures alone are insufficient and advocated for a shift toward prevention, rehabilitation, and societal reintegration.
The scholar also criticized the glamorization of drug use in popular culture, warning that it heavily influences impressionable young people. He urged entertainers and influencers to promote positive messages that deter substance abuse.
Dr. Isiaq called for a multi-sectoral approach, involving government bodies, civil society organizations, and religious institutions. He proposed policy reforms centered on education, public awareness campaigns, and community-based initiatives.