The drug parties

RECENTLY, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) decried the surge in drug parties in the country, warning nightclub operators and fun seekers that it remained a blatant illegality under Nigerian law. The NDLEA gave the warning after conducting a raid on a drug party at a nightclub located in Victoria Island, Lagos, where over 100 attendees were arrested along with the owner of the facility, Mike Nwogu, alias Pretty Mike, and his manager, Joachin Millary. The agency, in a statement, lamented that organising, hosting and attending drug parties had become a fad within social circles. Its words: “Any gathering organised for the purpose of consuming, distributing, or abusing illicit substances is an act of criminality.  These drug parties contravene the explicit provisions of the NDLEA Act and will be treated as serious narcotic offences. In the case of the drug party at Proxy Night Club, organisers went above board and had the audacity to produce and circulate flyers inviting fun seekers to come together to commit crime, an act that not only constitutes an incitement to commit crime but is equally an affront to the law enforcement capabilities of the country if condoned. Nigeria is currently grappling with a very high prevalence rate of drug abuse, particularly among our youths. These illicit drug parties do not only fuel the drug scourge but equally serve as hubs for new recruitment into drug addiction and actively undermine our current national efforts to safeguard public health and security.

“In the recent case, the NDLEA was meticulous and professional throughout the processes leading to the raid and during the operation. Following intelligence on the party, our undercover agents conducted surveillance on the facility, made pre-purchases of illicit drugs from within the club and for four hours between 11p.m on Saturday and 3a.m on Sunday during the party, our operatives observed and recorded drug transactions and abuse going on before we eventually disrupted the brazen public display of illegality and made arrests. All attendees initially arrested were later profiled, addressed, counselled and released within hours in custody, in line with best global practices while the two principal suspects, Pretty Mike and his manager, Joachin Millary, remain in custody following the seizure of 384.882 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis and other substances from the club’s store. While the agency will intensify surveillance and apply the full force of the law against perpetrators, owners of properties, hotels and event centres found to be knowingly hosting such illegal activities risk the confiscation and forfeiture of their assets to the Federal Government. Those held in custody in the ongoing case will face prosecution while we will file for forfeiture of the property, Proxy Night Club, in which the drugs were found.”

The fact is not in dispute that drug abuse enables damage to organs like the liver, kidneys, and heart; weakens the immune system, leads to malnutrition and related health issues, as well as increased risk of overdose and death. It fosters addiction and dependence; anxiety, depression, and mood swings, psychosis and hallucinations, and increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Then there are social and relationship problems to think about: strained relationships with family and friends, social isolation and loneliness, problems at work or school, and financial difficulties. It is no coincidence that drug abusers frequently make poor decisions and judgments, and are more likely than non-drug users to be involved in accidents and injuries, and to engage  in high-risk behaviour.

As we have noted in previous editorials, approximately 14.3 million Nigerians engage in drug abuse. The prevalence is particularly high among the younger population (15-64 years). It can be no cheering news that at least 14.4 percent of Nigeria’s adult population has used a psychoactive substance, with a higher prevalence among males and young adults. Commonly abused drugs include cannabis, codeine, amphetamine/dexamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, tramadol  and diazepam. It is quite scary that one in seven  Nigerians aged 15-64 years is a drug abuser, one in four drug abusers is a woman, and one in five drug users suffers from drug-related disorders. It is bad enough that Nigeria has a reputation for being a major hub for drug trafficking and abuse in West Africa, being strategically located along major drug trafficking routes; adding drug parties into the mix compounds the problem significantly.

To be sure, we are not against parties. Nigerian youths, like everyone else, have the right to organise social events  and enjoy themselves. They have the right to relieve themselves of stress through music and other legitimate means of self-expression. They have the right to let off steam. But drug parties? That’s another thing entirely. This is indeed terrible optics. It is distressing. If anything, those parties, if not completely contained, have the potential to worsen Nigeria’s image before the international community, casting Nigerian youths, in particular, as depraved individuals. No doubt, the development shows the moral decadence in the society. For a long time now, we have been pointing attention to the utter collapse of family values in the country. It is shocking that people have the audacity to stage such parties which can only reinforce the drug dependence of the attendees.

 We commend the NDLEA for a job well done and urge all patriotic Nigerians to support the agency in the effort to contain drug abuse in the country. The agency has been working to combat drug trafficking and abuse through various initiatives, including interdiction, rehabilitation and public awareness campaigns, and strengthening these efforts is vitally important to Nigeria’s mental health. We so hold, and very firmly too.