The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, on Thursday, raised the alarm that youths in Borno State are drinking fermented human urine, preserved over 10 days and other dangerous substances as alternatives to hard drugs.
The Commander of Narcotics of the NDLEA in Borno State, Iliyasu Mani, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri.
According to the agency, the youths in the state have resorted to taking unusual substances such as 10-day-old fermented human urine, lizard dung, camel urine, Lipton soaked in gin, and Mentholated spirit mixed with soft drinks as alternatives to hard drugs.
The NDLEA Commander said they also inhale toilet fumes and gutter dirts in their quest to get intoxicated.
According to him, 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.
The statement 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.
“NDLEA under my watch have 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.”
He said his command had established drop-in centres across all tertiary institutions to serve as drug abuse research centres for the benefit of all.
Mani also disclosed that the command, under his watch, had seized 4.5 tonnes of illicit substances and arrested 863 suspects.
