Health
Signs that your teen may be abusing drugs
Victor Ayeni
The idea of teenagers sniffing, smoking or pumping illegal substances into their bodies is far-fetched for many Nigerian parents. But the reality is something far more disturbing.
In some secondary schools across major cities and towns, teenagers have access to illicit substances and psychotropic drugs.
Regulatory bodies like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control have begun actively confronting a critical surge in illicit substances, contaminated medicines and restricted items targeted at or accessible to teenagers.
The NDLEA has raised the alarm that cartels are deliberately manufacturing and smuggling drugs laced into everyday items like sweets, candies, chocolates, biscuits and gummies.
These items are wrapped in highly colourful, attractive packages explicitly designed to appeal to children and teenagers, making them easy to conceal in school bags or pockets.
Substance abuse among teenagers in Nigeria has escalated into a severe national crisis, with studies showing that nearly 45.7 per cent of Nigerian adolescent pupils have experimented with or abused mind-altering substances.
For instance, cannabis (weed/marijuana) is widely available through “dealers” and socially normalised among youths, making it a primary gateway.
In addition, cheap and accessible prescription narcotics like tramadol and codeine-containing cough syrups are frequently misused for quick highs.
Other stimulants include methamphetamine (crystal meth or “ice”), alcohol, cigarettes and volatile inhalants such as glue, which are also common among teenagers.
Drug counsellors have stated that peer pressure is one of the biggest factors behind the spread of illicit substances among teens.
The intense desire to fit in or mimic perceived status symbols, particularly in schools, has been known to drive early experimentation.
In addition, illicit substances have become more accessible to students than they were decades ago, with some now costing as little as N500 to N1,000.
Amid the drug epidemic, many parents are unaware of their “innocent-looking” teenage sons or daughters’ involvement in smoking or ingesting psychotropic substances.
Most of the time, there are signs that caregivers and guardians can look out for if a teenager is under the influence of drugs.
A substance-use prevention, treatment and recovery practitioner, David Folaranmi, explained that when warning signs are present, a parent should observe the pattern, choose a calm moment to talk, ask questions and listen without immediately judging.
“If the changes persist or there is reason to suspect substance use, professional help should be sought early. Early intervention can prevent experimentation or misuse from becoming a much more serious problem.
“Parents should be careful not to mistake every change in a teenager for drug use. Adolescence naturally comes with mood swings, secrecy and changes in behaviour. What should concern a parent is a noticeable pattern of change, especially when several warning signs appear together and persist over time,” he added.
Here are possible signs that a teenager is into drugs:
Unexplained behavioural changes
A teenager who was once fairly open, responsible or emotionally stable may suddenly become unusually irritable, aggressive, withdrawn, secretive or unpredictable.
Folaranmi noted, “The issue is not one bad day; it is a sustained change from the young person’s normal pattern. Parents should ask, ‘What has changed?’ rather than immediately assuming, ‘My child is using drugs.’”
Changes in friendship
He advised, “Pay attention when a teenager begins avoiding family, becomes unusually secretive about where they go, or suddenly changes their peer group while becoming defensive about simple questions.
“New friends alone do not mean drug use, but secrecy, unexplained outings and withdrawal from previously healthy relationships can become important warning signs when they occur together.”
Altered sleep and appetite
A recovering addict, who was introduced as a teenager, Emmanuel Irewoli, noted that sleeplessness or extreme changes in appetite can signal a warning.
“There are some illegal substances, like cannabis, that increase appetite, and there are some, like meth, that suppress appetite. Some, like heroin, cause heavy sleeping, while others, like crack, make users sleepless. So, one sign isn’t enough to conclude. Parents must look at sudden behavioural, social and cognitive changes,” he said.
Decline in normal functioning
One of the clearest things for caregivers to take note of is what substance use begins to take away.
“A teenager may start missing classes, performing poorly at school, losing interest in activities they once enjoyed, neglecting responsibilities, struggling to concentrate or repeatedly coming home late. When ordinary functioning begins to deteriorate without a clear explanation, it deserves attention,” Folaranmi noted.
Craving validation
A teenager who repeatedly seeks attention, validation or emotional connection outside the family may be communicating a need that is not being met at home.
Folaranmi added, “This may show up as becoming unusually attached to certain friends, seeking acceptance from people who make them feel understood, or turning to substances and other risky behaviours because those experiences temporarily fill an emotional void.”
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