Nigeria’s Gen Zs and the silent destroyer called Ice

By Prisca Sam-Duru

In 2015, the Indonesian government turned a deaf ear to numerous clemency pleas from leaders of several foreign countries and human rights organisations to spare the lives of some drug convicts, mostly foreign nationals. The young men were executed by firing squad afterwards. It was devastating news to those of us here, not only because there were Nigerians among them, but because they were said to have spent many years in prison. Many thought that since they had suffered and reportedly repented in prison, the Indonesian government should have at least sentenced them for life.

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The essence of the above brief recap is that within that period, I had the opportunity of an informal chat with some Indonesian diplomats in Lagos on the issue. In as much as they weren’t happy that young ones died that way, they explained that if I were in government, I would also execute those drug traffickers after seeing the pernicious effect of their drug business on Indonesian youth population.

Well, there weren’t and still no intentions or dreams of ever holding any position in government. However, after witnessing what drug abuse is doing to addicts under some bridges and even streets in the cities in Nigeria, God, it’s no wonder the Indonesian government maintains very strict laws on drug trafficking.

We are gradually shifting from dealing with cocaine or the drug called marijuana locally known as ‘igbo’, goof, weed, or wee-wee, gbana, etc. The danger in town is crystal meth also known as ice. Actually, it’s not new; it’s been around for a few years now. Ice is worsening the country’s drug epidemic.

On the outside, it appears as harmless and inviting as a piece of candy. And for secondary school students who are now being lured into drug abuse, it’s like sugar, salt, or one particular food seasoning. Ice is becoming the silent destroyer of our youths. Experts say ice is stronger, cheaper, more addictive and obviously deadlier than the drugs that preceded it. It is also known to be highly addictive as once hooked, quitting becomes the toughest thing to do for any user.

There are reports that ice can easily cause madness, stroke, psychosis, organ failure, and death because it directly affects the brain.

If you haven’t seen the effect of ice on young boys, please go to under some bridges like the ones in Oshodi, CMS, etc, in Lagos. As early as during rush hours, when people are either going to work or markets, you’ll see these boys, so unkempt, sleeping while standing. If you have time to watch, it’s like a slow mo in movies. They begin to fold like mats until they look like their bodies are without bones. Note, they hardly fall down when zoned out. You’d wonder, how’s that possible. Sadly, business around them just go on; they’re on their own.

This is the time parents must be extra sensitive to their children’s wellbeing. This concerns both girls and boys. They must be monitored like never before. Note that there’s trouble if you find crystal substances in nylons in your children/wards belongings. Don’t wait to hear them mention methamphetamine because the Gen Zs do not call it that. So, watch out for different code words, some of which we are already used to. They include ice, crystal, shabu, glass, mkpuru mmiri, Charlie, and sugar. The mention of any of the words means there could be danger lurking around the corner. Note that they can smoke, snort, or lick it like sweet or mix with drinks. Somehow, mixing in drinks appears common. You see most addicts carrying bottles of soft drinks; it’s not always pure soft drinks. Also, mixing in drinks is one of their most effective ways of initiating more addicts during parties. Girls who unknowingly share such drinks during parties are most often raped or turned into objects for money or power rituals.

So, parents must, as a matter of urgency, begin to talk to their children. No matter how busy as a parent, make yourself available as a confidant so that your children can tell you anything. And don’t keep quiet when you notice abnormal behaviour in them or, if valuables begin to miss from your home. Search their belongings when they’re not around. Notice strange crystal substance? Seek help before it’s too late.

There’s a viral video in which a now clean former drug addict was seen explaining some boys’ ordeal with drugs. According to the guy who called himself the boss of the under-bridge inhabitants, once high, they find shelter on the rail tracks. Some of the boys were actually seen in the video sleeping on the rail tracks. He said that the only way to wake them up so they won’t be crushed by incoming train was to land them a thunderous slap. That was sadly demonstrated in the video. There are moments when the addicts in my neighbourhood are brought back to earth with buckets of water. What a life! No child deserves such life. Those making the drugs available for these youths need to stop, and the boys rehabilitated.

A pinch of ice is said to cost up to 2,500 naira while a gram costs up to thirty thousand. Many users who are jobless end up selling anything sellable around their homes just to sustain the addiction. Of course, you know the next alternative would be to steal when they find nothing to sell. This is one of the reasons there are cases of burglary, as well as addicts conniving with scavengers to steal from residents in communities.

Considering how rampant ice is becoming, one can’t help but ask, is ice made in Nigeria? Certainly, yes. Information has it that “methamphetamine is manufactured in Nigeria” and for at least a decade, the country emerged as a “significant producer and a hub for illicit drug production in West Africa.” Too bad!

So, who are the manufacturers, and where are they based? And which country(ies) are providing the expertise for the production of these illegal drugs.

There are, however, reports on the efforts the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made to end the production of the illicit drug. But, the high rate of ice use among youth these days indicates that NDLEA has much responsibility in their hands.

Nigeria’s youth population is gradually becoming endangered species. The urgency in addressing the use of ice and, generally, drug abuse among young ones is the duty of families, teachers, friends, and governments. Efforts need to be intensified to stop the menace of ice and save tomorrow’s leaders from self-destruction.