The fight against drug abuse among young people took centre stage in Abeokuta on Wednesday, as the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, hosted the 5th edition of the Dr. Taiwo Adamson Annual Debate on Substance Use and Mental Wellness, a yearly forum designed to empower students with knowledge on the dangers of substance use.
The event, which featured competitive debates among secondary school students, brought together medical experts, educators and youth advocates committed to reversing the alarming rise in drug abuse in Nigeria.
Addressing participants, the Medical Director and Provost of the hospital, Dr. Paul Agboola, said the annual debate remains one of the institution’s strongest youth-focused advocacy platforms.
According to him, “This is the fifth edition of the Dr. Taiwo Adamson Annual Debate, and every year the ARD invites students from various schools to debate issues relating to substance use and mental wellness. It is an advocacy programme designed to catch them young.”
Agboola expressed concern over the increasing rate of early exposure to drugs among children.
“It is documented that children as young as eight or nine now taste cigarettes, and not only cigarettes, some even try cannabis,” he warned.
“We now have children as young as ten taking cannabis. The situation is that alarming.”
He praised the endower, Dr. (Mrs.) Taiwo Adamson, for sustaining the programme and ensuring young people are consistently reached with preventive education.
Delivering a lecture titled “Adverse Life Experience on Substance Use,” consultant psychiatrist, Dr. Precious Akinusi, presented startling statistics to buttress the urgency of the campaign.
“As reported by UNODC, 276 million people used drugs globally in 2021. Today, in 2025, the figure has risen to 316 million — a 15% increase,” he said.
He added that “about 200,000 people died from drug abuse in 2023 alone.”
Turning to Nigeria, Akinusi noted that 14.3% of the country’s young population used drugs in 2024 — a proportion he described as “disturbing and unacceptable.”
He listed adverse life experiences such as sexual and physical abuse, domestic violence, parental separation, insecurity, poverty, and natural disasters as strong triggers for substance use.
“When people go through hardship, unemployment, trauma or lack of support, many sadly turn to substances as a coping mechanism,” he explained.
Akinusi also condemned the glamorisation of drugs in the entertainment industry.
“Five to ten years ago, musicians were not flaunting cannabis in videos. Today, it has become normalised, and young people are learning from it,” he said.
President of the ARD, Dr. Abdulghaffar Kolade, described this year’s edition as one of the most successful and competitive.
“We had eight schools attend, four schools debated, and the performance was exceptional. More schools participated this year, showing that the programme is growing,” he said.
Kolade noted that despite the JOHESU strike, the organisers worked tirelessly to ensure that the programme held as scheduled.
“There were actions we had to take to make sure the strike did not affect the event. Our management, led by Dr. Agboola, gave extraordinary support,” he stated.
Prizes were awarded to the top-performing schools and students.
Kolade revealed that the Association intends to broaden the scope of the initiative in coming years.
“We hope to move beyond debates and essays. We are looking at outreach programmes in schools, drama presentations, and community sensitisation,” he said.
“There are many young people struggling with addiction and many others who need awareness. Our goal is to reach them where they are.”
Representing the Alake of Egbaland ,Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Bada of Egbaland, Dr. Femi Majekodunmi lauded the organiser for the debate.
He urged Nigeirans irrespective of their age and condition to shun drug abuse .
He encouraged the young ones to stay free from drug and protect their tomorrow.
The state Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association, Dr. Luqman Ogunjimi while giving his remarks, lauded the organiser of the event.
Ogunjimi who also donated some cash gift to appreciate the participating students, urged them to shun drug abuse and face their studies.
Speaking with newsmen, the NMA chairman lamented the prevalence of drug abuse in the country.
He charged stakeholders to rally round and fight the menace which he said threatens the future of the country .
Also speaking ,the representative of the endower, Dr Taiwo Adamson, Dr. Ibikunle appreciated the ARD for the annual programme on Substance use and mental wellness.
She added that the debate will yield positive results among the young ones and would make them to shun use of drugs.
She said that the endower has pledged to continue throwing her weight behind the programme .
The Dr. Taiwo Adamson Annual Debate on Substance Use and Mental Wellness, organised by the Association of Resident Doctors, Neuropsychiatric Hospital Aro, continues to stand out as a key intervention promoting mental health awareness and drug abuse prevention among young people in Ogun State.
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