ADDRESSING THE RISING TIDE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE & SOCIAL VICES: A CALL FOR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY

ADDRESSING THE RISING TIDE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE & SOCIAL VICES: A CALL FOR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY

While many often attribute the root causes of today’s societal challenges to the spillover effects of insurgency, I strongly believe that an equal pressing issue lies in the sense of our mutual responsibilities towards social problems.

Recently, a disturbing case came to light: a video surfaced showing a minor, clearly under the age of 10, an orphan from Bama Local Government Area, now living on the streets in Bulabulin area of Maiduguri. This child was found in possession of a substance popularly known as “solution”, a dangerous and widely abused drug. When questioned in Hausa, he said “Muna sha don mu dumu” meaning “we-take-it-just-to-get-high”

To some, this may evoke sympathy. But beyond the emotion lies a deeper issue, these seemingly isolated incidents are fragments of a much larger and deeply woven fabric of societal neglect. They represent the breakdown in the value systems meant to protect and nurture our younger generation just like we benefited when we were growing up.

The abuse of drugs and illicit substances, despite their well-documented health risks, continues to serve as a major trigger for crime and antisocial behavior, especially among vulnerable youth.

We must begin to ask the difficult but necessary questions:
• Who sold this to a minor?
• Where did they learn this from?

Special appreciation goes to the Borno State Government for revitalizing and rebranding the Anti-Social Vices Joint Operations. This initiative integrates judicial, religious, community, and security actors in a holistic approach to tackling the root causes and consequences of social vices in our society.

It is equally imperative for community members to embrace mutual accountability. Every stakeholder from parents to educators and community leaders must understand the importance of playing an active role in addressing the growing challenge of drug abuse and other social vices among our youth.

WAY FORWARD

1. Community watch groups should identify and report illegal drug vendors or suspicious activity within their neighborhoods.
2. Community leaders should collaborate with relevant security agencies to keep drug traffickers and dealers out of neighborhoods.
3. Parents and guardians to monitor their children’s behavior, friends, and daily activities.
4. ⁠Parents and guardians should actively regulate the content their children are exposed to on television and social media, especially materials that may glamorize drug use or promote harmful behaviors.
5. Caution street children who are found with this substances.
6. ⁠Break the conspiracy of silence by exposing the evildoers in the society.

Through shared responsibility and committed action, we can begin to reverse this dangerous trend and rebuild a society where our children are safe, protected, and given the opportunity to thrive.

Mr. Nahum Kenneth Daso, ANIPR
Nahumdaso@gmail.com
10/05/2025