“Adamawa’s Drug Nightmare: Overdose Of Cases Floods Hospitals And Courts”

Consultant psychiatrist Joel Umar stated that the alarming rise in drug abuse has significantly increased the burden on both healthcare facilities and the judicial system in Adamawa.

Mr. Joel Umar, a consultant psychiatrist, made the remarks during the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, held Thursday in Yola. He revealed that between January and June 2025, over 50% of patients admitted to the Psychiatric Unit at Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital were suffering from drug-related conditions.

He noted that the impact of drug abuse extends beyond healthcare, placing a heavy burden on the judiciary as well, with a significant number of crimes committed by youths linked to substance abuse.

Umar identified ignorance, poor parenting, and adverse societal and environmental influences as major drivers of drug addiction. He urged parents to strengthen their parenting roles to secure a better future for their children and advised young people to understand that drug use is essentially poisoning their bodies.

Meanwhile, Aliyu Abubakar, the NDLEA Commander in Adamawa, called on stakeholders to unite with the agency in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking. He reaffirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to eradicating the menace in the state.