The former president the president Olusegun Obasanjo urged individuals struggling with addiction to come forward and seek help rather than hide their struggles, and emphasized the dire consequences of drug abuse, including premature death.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has made a heartfelt appeal to young Africans urging them to shun drug abuse, a dangerous habit that can drastically undermine their lives. Speaking at the second edition of the ‘Fly Above The High’ sensitization program on drug abuse organized by the Recovery Advocacy Network at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Obasanjo underlined the increasing problem of drug abuse everywhere. Africa south of the Sahara.

“It is a common misconception that Africa only serves as a transit point for narcotics transported illegally from Latin America. In reality, drug consumption in Africa has escalated and worsened over the past decade,” Obasanjo said during the event on Saturday.

The former president urged individuals struggling with addiction to come forward and seek help rather than hide their struggles, emphasizing the dire consequences associated with drug abuse, including premature death.

Obasanjo recounted his time as chairman of the West African Drug Commission – an initiative under the Kofi Annan Foundation – and shared disappointing findings: “We traveled through West Africa believing that the region was relatively unscathed by drug problems that originated mainly in Latin America . Nevertheless, we were deeply saddened to discover that West Africa had developed into a major consumer hub for drugs in a very harmful way.”

He noted that these revelations, made over a decade ago, are still relevant today, warning that the growing issue of drug abuse is not limited to West Africa but affects the whole of Africa.

Obasanjo also shared a personal tragedy involving a cousin whose life was tragically cut short due to drug-related problems, despite many attempts at rehabilitation. “Addiction is akin to a disease. Some diseases cannot be completely cured but can be managed. Individuals struggling with addiction should not be ashamed; instead, they must seek help before it is too late,” he advised.

He urged the community to extend its support to those affected by addiction, saying: “A simple word of prayer can serve as a decisive turning point for them.”

Dr. Kunle Adesina, Chairman of the Recovery Advocacy Network, emphasized the importance of increased awareness campaigns that address drugs and substance abuse. – The purpose of this gathering is to inform young people about the dangers of drugs. Psychoactive substances, no matter how benign they may seem, can have devastating consequences. Prevention is key, says Adesina.

He shared alarming statistics indicating that 14.3 million Nigerians had experimented with some form of substance in the past six months, with one in five users being women. He advocated stricter laws and a unified strategy to combat drug abuse.

In addition, mental health expert Dr. Sam Abah gave a lecture entitled “Rewired for Dependency: How Drug Use Affects the Brain”, in which he described the harmful effects of drugs on brain health, stressing that addiction can seriously endanger the lives of individuals. “Avoid drugs,” he urged, “to protect the bright future ahead of you. If you’ve already started using, stop immediately and seek help.”

The event also featured Dr. Abubakar Salami, Vice President of the Recovery Advocacy Network and a former drug addict, who shared his inspiring journey of overcoming addiction through faith and perseverance. “With God’s help, I turned my life around. To those struggling with drug use, turn to God and remain firm in your determination to break free from addiction,” Salami encouraged.

The gathering concluded with renewed calls for collective community action, stricter regulations and steadfast support for those trying to reclaim their lives from the grip of addiction.