Drug Abuse: Expert Calls on FG To Prioritise Preventive Measures

A U.S.-based Nigerian prevention scientist, Dr. Olanrewaju Lawal, has urged the Federal Government to adopt a prevention-driven approach to address the growing challenge of substance abuse among Nigerian youths.

Lawal, a researcher in Youth Development and Family Science, said the country’s current response to drug use remains largely reactive, relying on rehabilitation and law enforcement while neglecting proactive, community-level strategies that could prevent substance use before it begins.

Speaking ahead of his presentation at the 2025 National Council on Family Relations Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, Lawal called on policymakers to make prevention science a core element of national public health policy.

“Globally, prevention is most effective when interventions reach young people across all settings — at the individual, family, school, and community levels,” he said. “Nigeria has one of the world’s fastest-growing youth populations, yet the nation’s prevention infrastructure is almost nonexistent. We need a paradigm shift — from punishment to prevention, and from isolated programmes to multi-level, evidence-based strategies.”

Lawal explained that his research identifies protective factors that help adolescents resist substance-use disorders, such as open family communication, parental monitoring, supportive peer relationships, and strong community ties.

He noted that these models could be adapted to the Nigerian context using digital health tools, mobile platforms, and artificial intelligence systems capable of detecting at-risk youths and delivering culturally relevant interventions.

“Every naira invested in prevention saves the country many times over in treatment, crime reduction, and productivity gains,” he said. “Prevention should be seen as a foundation of national public health strategy, not an afterthought.”

The scientist also called for investment in capacity building across schools, community organisations, and local health agencies to strengthen preventive efforts.

He emphasised that integrating prevention science into Nigeria’s long-term development plans would not only curb drug abuse but also promote the overall well-being, productivity, and resilience of young people.