• Drug: Any substance that changes how the body or mind works.


• Legal drugs: e.g., paracetamol, antibiotics (used correctly with doctor’s prescription).


• Illegal/illicit drugs: e.g., cocaine, heroin, cannabis, methamphetamine.


• Drug Use: Taking a drug correctly for medical purpose.


• Drug Misuse: Using a legal drug the wrong way (e.g., taking overdose).


• Drug Abuse: Using a drug for non-medical purposes, usually to “get high.”


• Drug Trafficking: The illegal cultivation, manufacture, transport, distribution, sale, or possession of drugs that are forbidden by law. It can be within a country or across borders.

Cannabis (Indian hemp), Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine, Tramadol (in high doses), Codeine cough syrup (abused form), Ecstasy, Crack cocaine, LSD, Skunk.

1. Poverty – lack of income pushes people into illegal business.


2. Ignorance – not knowing the dangers and penalties.


3. Greed – desire to get rich quickly.


4. Unemployment – idle youth are easily lured.


5. Peer Pressure – influence from friends, gangs, and cult groups.


6. High Demand for Drugs – locally and internationally.


7. Weak Law Enforcement/Corruption – porous borders, corrupt officers.


8. Influence of Media – glamorisation of drug culture.

1. On the Individual


• Imprisonment – long jail terms.


• Death Penalty – in some foreign countries (e.g., Asia, Middle East).


• Forfeiture of Assets – loss of houses, cars, money, and businesses linked to drugs.


• Poor Health – addiction, poisoning, infections, mental illness.


• Stigma – shame, rejection by family and community.


• Death – from overdose, gang violence, or body-packing accidents.




2. On the Family


• Emotional trauma and shame.


• Poverty when breadwinner is jailed.


• Children may drop out of school.




3. On the Society


• Increase in crime: robbery, cultism, kidnapping, prostitution.


• Insecurity and violence from gangs.


• Burden on hospitals and rehab centres.


4. On the Country


• Bad international image (Nigerians seen as drug couriers).


• Loss of investment and tourism due to poor reputation.


• Cost of law enforcement and health care.


• Corruption of officials and weakened institutions.

1. Education – teaching dangers of drugs in schools, media, and communities.


2. Alleviation of Poverty – creating jobs, vocational training, and entrepreneurship.


3. Legislation – strong laws and stiff punishment for traffickers.


4. International Cooperation – working with countries and organisations like UNODC, Interpol.


5. Family and Community Involvement – parents guiding children, neighbourhood watch.


6. Effective Border Control – modern scanners, patrols, surveillance.


7. Youth Empowerment – engaging students in sports, skills, and positive hobbies.

Term	Meaning	Example
Drug Use	Correct medical use	Taking paracetamol as prescribed
Drug Misuse	Wrong use of legal drug	Taking excess antibiotics
Drug Abuse	Taking drugs for pleasure/to “get high”	Drinking codeine syrup illegally
Drug Trafficking	Illegal trade in drugs	Smuggling cocaine at airport