NHRC Raises Alarm Over Rising Drug Abuse, Demands Human Rights-Based Response
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed grave concern over the rising incidence of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria, warning that the growing menace poses serious threats to public health, national security, human dignity and sustainable development.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, made the remarks in a message marking the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, describing substance abuse, particularly among young Nigerians, as an alarming crisis requiring urgent and coordinated intervention from all sectors of society.
According to Ojukwu, while the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking remains imperative, responses must be firmly rooted in human rights principles and the rule of law. He stressed that efforts to tackle the menace should be guided by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees citizens’ rights to life, dignity, liberty and fair hearing, as well as the provisions of the Mental Health Act 2021 and the National Health Act 2022.
He further noted that Nigeria’s response must also align with its international obligations under instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the UN Drug Control Conventions.
The NHRC boss emphasised that individuals battling drug dependence should not be subjected to stigma, discrimination or degrading treatment. Rather, he said they should be guaranteed access to quality healthcare services, rehabilitation programmes, psychosocial support and opportunities for social reintegration.
Ojukwu observed that drug abuse has become a catalyst for numerous human rights violations, including domestic violence, criminality, human trafficking, exploitation and growing insecurity across communities, thereby undermining the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms.
He stated that the Commission has consistently championed a public health approach to drug use and harm reduction in Nigeria, organising national legislative forums and other engagements aimed at stimulating public discourse and shaping evidence-based policies on drug use and addiction management.
The Executive Secretary called on the National Assembly to incorporate human rights safeguards into the proposed national policy on drug-use quantification thresholds. He urged lawmakers to clearly distinguish between individuals who use controlled substances for medicinal or therapeutic purposes and those engaged in drug trafficking and peddling, warning that people seeking treatment should not be criminalised.
He also called on government institutions, civil society groups, families, educational establishments, faith-based organisations and community leaders to intensify public awareness campaigns aimed at preventing drug abuse, especially among children and young people who are increasingly vulnerable to substance dependence.
Ojukwu further urged law enforcement agencies to strengthen the fight against illicit drug trafficking while ensuring full compliance with national and international human rights standards in the execution of their duties.
Reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to addressing the crisis, he said the NHRC would continue collaborating with relevant stakeholders to promote policies and programmes that tackle the underlying drivers of drug abuse, including poverty, unemployment, social exclusion and inadequate access to education and mental health services.
He called on Nigerians to collectively work towards building a society free from drug abuse, where the rights, dignity and well-being of every individual are protected and upheld.
