The Commander of Narcotics of the NDLEA in Borno State, Iliyasu Mani, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri.

He said abuse of psychoactive substances was prevalent among the youths, noting that they also take other unusual substances such as lizard dung, camel urine, Lipton soaked in gin, and Mentholated spirit mixed with soft drinks.

He said they also inhale toilet fumes and gutter dirt in their quest to get intoxicated.

Mani said, “Let me state categorically here that these new psychoactive substances that are commonly abused today include Cannabis Sativa, skunk, Cough syrup with codeine; Ice, Tramadol, Rohypnol, Diazepam, Pentazocine, rubber solution, glue, gutter dirt, toilet fumes, lizard dung.

Mani said the NDLEA command, under his watch, had fought a hard battle against drug abuse but “unfortunately, the issue of substance abuse is even getting challenging, especially with the involvement of young teens in the abuse of new psychoactive substances, especially women.”

“Despite all these, we must not lose our hope as the agency has strengthened its efforts towards prevention strategy through the establishment of remodeled counselling/rehab centre within the premises of Borno State Command,” the NDLEA commander said.

Mani said his command had also established drop-in centres across all tertiary institutions to serve as drug abuse research centres for the benefit of all.

He said the command, under his watch, had seized 4.5 tonnes of illicit substances and arrested 863 suspects.

Of those arrested, he said 53 had been convicted while 736 were undergoing counselling.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime household survey conducted in 2018 but reviewed in 2021 and 2022 placed the level of substance abuse in Nigeria at 14.3 per cent, which was three times higher than the 5.6 per cent global average.

The survey further showed that the prevalence of illicit drugs in the North-East was put at 13.6 per cent and North-West, 12 per cent, while North-Central is said to be at 10 per cent.