The Ndlea has issued a warning specifically to Nigerian students at the University of Ilorin regarding the risks associated with using hard Drugs in hopes of improving their academic performance.

Mr. Mohammad Ibrahim, the Kwara Command’s NDLEA Commander, stressed that hard drugs do not lead to better exam results.

Moreover, he advised students to be aware of the negative consequences that could come from drug use and to resist any peer pressure that may lead to Substance abuse.

Mr. Ibrahim also mentioned that the Command is taking action to enhance the patrol teams’ effectiveness and increase the number of officers on the road to intercept drugs entering the state.

He stated that the unit’s target audience includes the general public, both male and female, as drug addiction can affect anyone.

Ibrahim further explained that all categories of drugs can be abused.

“NAFDAC is in charge of the licit drugs, while the focus of the NDLEA is on illicit drugs and psychoactive substances, which includes cannabis, cocaine and heroine. These are substances completely banned by the law,” he said.

The NDLEA boss explained that some substances are not banned but are controlled because despite being for medication they are sometimes abused.

“The consequences of drug abuse can be categorised as social, physiological and physical.

“There is a part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex which is responsible for reasoning and making decisions.

“It is not fully developed until age 22 or 23 in an individual. So, when being laced with substances, it leads to distortion of perception, thinking and cognitive reasoning, which leads to risky decisions and affects academic performance,” he cautioned.