The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has expressed concern over a disturbing trend in Borno State where youths are reportedly consuming fermented human urine, aged over 10 days, as a substitute for hard drugs.
Iliyasu Mani, the Commander of Narcotics for NDLEA in Borno State, highlighted this alarming practice in a recent statement from Maiduguri.
Mani emphasized that the youth’s reliance on psychoactive substances is not limited to this unconventional choice. They are also experimenting with a variety of other substances, including lizard dung, camel urine, Lipton tea infused with gin, and even mentholated spirits blended with soft drinks.
He 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.
“Others include Lipton soaked in gin, camel urine, Mentholated spirit in soft drinks, 10-day-old human urine, and so on.”
“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 added.
Highlighting the agency’s proactive measures, Mani mentioned the establishment of a revamped counselling and rehabilitation center within the Borno State Command’s premises.
Additionally, the NDLEA has set up drop-in centers in all tertiary institutions to serve as drug abuse research hubs.
Mani disclosed that, under his leadership, the NDLEA Command has confiscated 4.5 tonnes of illicit substances and apprehended 863 suspects.
Out of these, 53 individuals have been convicted, while 736 are currently undergoing counselling.
| LIB
