Drug abuse and substance dependence have evolved into serious public health and security concerns in Nigeria. From the trafficking of hard narcotics to the rising misuse of prescription drugs and locally available psychoactive substances, the crisis cuts across socio-economic classes.
Nigeria’s legal framework approaches drug control primarily from a criminal justice perspective, with enforcement driven by specialized agencies such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
But how effective is the current legal regime? What has law enforcement achieved? And what reforms are necessary to balance punishment with rehabilitation?
This article provides a legal overview.