What manner of protest is this?

Sir: As I watched the protesters march through the streets, their placards screaming for cheaper cannabis, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu. Haven’t we been here before? Haven’t we seen the devastating effects of this so-called “harmless” substance?

The numbers are staggering. 14 million Nigerians trapped in the grip of drug abuse, with countless more lives destroyed by its insidious effects. And yet, we still pretend that cannabis is a victimless crime. We still pretend that it’s just a harmless herb, a recreational indulgence with no consequences. But the truth is far more sinister. Cannabis is a silent killer, a gradual destroyer of dreams and futures. It’s a substance that creeps up on you, slowly but surely, until it’s too late. And once it’s got you in its grip, it’s almost impossible to escape.

I’ve seen it firsthand – the broken families, the shattered lives, the lost potential. I have spoken to the parents who have lost their children to cannabis, the spouses who’ve lost their partners, the friends who’ve lost their friends. And I’ve seen the devastating effects it has on our communities – the increased crime, the decreased productivity, the erosion of our social fabric.

So, what do we do? Do we give in to their demands, or do we stand firm? Do we prioritise the health and wellbeing of our citizens, or do we succumb to the pressure of the cannabis lobby? The answer is clear. We must stand firm. We must say no to cannabis, and yes to life. We must recognise the devastating effects of this substance, and we must take action.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been working tirelessly to reduce cannabis production nationwide, and their efforts are paying off. Cannabis production has dropped by 20 per cent in the past year alone. However, the scarcity has driven desperate users to take to the streets, highlighting the depth of the addiction crisis. We must not be swayed by their demands. Cannabis is a destructive force, tearing families apart and ruining lives.

We need to invest in education and rehabilitation, to help those trapped in addiction. We need to support our law enforcement agencies, to help them stem the tide of cannabis flowing into our communities. And we need to have a national conversation, to raise awareness about the dangers of cannabis and the devastating effects it has on our society.

Sophya Dozie wrote from Nnewi, Anambra State.