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DAUGHTERS IN DISTRESS: THE SILENT RISE OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG OUR YOUNG WOMEN
By Onímòèro Olatunde Alejo
Drug abuse among Nigerian youths has grown into a devastating crisis, but within that crisis lies an even quieter tragedy the rising number of young women falling victim to addiction. What was once whispered as a “boys’ problem” is now a burden that many of our daughters, sisters, and friends are silently carrying.
Beneath the beauty, the filters, and the smiles, many young women are using drugs to cope with pain. Some are fleeing from trauma, abuse, broken homes, depression. Others are overwhelmed by pressure: the pressure to look perfect, to fit in, to numb heartbreak, to hide shame. For some, it starts at a party, offered in the form of “just one try,” and then becomes a deep, destructive cycle.
The drugs come in many forms codeine, tramadol, rohypnol, cannabis, molly, and mixtures that shouldn’t be in any human body. But more frightening than the drugs themselves is the silence. The fear of being judged. The fear of bringing shame to the family. The fear of being labelled “bad.” So, many suffer in secret until it becomes too late.
The impact is heartbreaking: rising cases of mental health disorders, unwanted pregnancies, rape, school dropouts, social rejection, and in too many cases, death. Families are being shattered. Futures are being wasted. And still, society looks the other way or pretends it’s not happening.
This is no longer just a moral issue, it is a national emergency. We must stop shaming and start listening. We must talk to our girls not at them. We must provide safe spaces, therapy, mentorship, and real opportunities for expression and growth. Schools must go beyond academics to teach self-worth, decision-making, and emotional resilience. Communities must rise to protect not persecute their girls.
If we fail to act, we are not just losing individuals we are losing mothers, teachers, doctors, leaders, and creators. We are losing generations of light.
To every young girl reading this: You are more than your pain. You are not alone. Help is not weakness, it’s strength.
Let’s stand for them. Let’s speak for them. Let’s save them.
Onímòèro Olatunde Alejo
Advocate for Youth Development & Social Reform
SDP Member, Ondo State.
#SaveOurGirls
#DrugAbuseAwareness
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