Worried by the increasing number of youths who are involved in drug addiction, the federal government has called on states and local governments in the country to assist in the rehabilitation of drug addicts.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, made the call in Abuja on Wednesday in a remark to commemorate the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Kachollom noted that the burden of rehabilitating drug addicts in the country is not just the responsibility of the Federal Government, adding that both the states and the local governments must be involved.

Represented by the Director, Food and Drug Services in the ministry, Mrs. Olubunmi Aribeana, the Permanent Secretary reminded the states and the local governments that health is on the concurrent legislative list, meaning that both the states and the local governments have roles to play.

She advised the local governments to set up, not just a treatment centre, but a rehabilitation and vocation centre, in every local government in the country, to handle drug-related matters.

“We are using this opportunity to call on the state governments to assist in the rehabilitation of drug addicts in the country.

“Recall that health is on the concurrent legislative list, which means that the local government has a role to play. This means that the state has a role to play, which means also that the federal government has a role to play.

“So, the burden is not just on the federal government. It is both on the federal, the state, and the local governments.

“So, there is a need to set up, not just a treatment centre, but a rehabilitation and vocation centre in every local government in the country,” she said.

The permanent secretary pointed out that an estimated 10.8 million Nigerians were reported to have used cannabis in 2017, while 4.6 million were found to have used opioids for non-medical purposes in the same year.

These alarming statistics, according to her, provide only a glimpse into the global drug use situation which depicts the increasing trend of drug use in Nigeria and by extension the globe.

She added that the trend also highlights the growing non-medical use of drugs, including cannabis, amphetamines, and opioids such as Tramadol, Codeine and Morphine, which she noted, have become a serious health concern.

While calling for a strong need for action and collaboration by all, Kachollom said that the ministry is set to design interventions to help drug users who face stigma and discrimination while promoting language and attitudes that are respectful and non-judgmental and also empowering young people, as well as communities to prevent drug use and addiction.

She also called on all MDAs, CSOs, NGOs and implementing partners to consider the issue of drug abuse in the country as a major problem that must be dealt with before it destroys our society.