The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says youths in Borno State are drinking fermented human urine, preserved over 10 days, as an alternative to hard drugs.
The Commander of Narcotics of the NDLEA in Borno State, Iliyasu Mani, revealed this in a statement in Maiduguri.
Mani said abuse of psychoactive substances was common among the youths, noting that they also take other unusual substances such as lizard dung, camel urine, Lipton soaked in gin, and mentholated spirits mixed with soft drinks.
According to him, the youths also inhale toilet fumes and gutter dirt in their quest to get intoxicated.
Mani 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.”
Mani said the NDLEA Command, under his watch, had 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,” the NDLEA commander added.
Mani said his Command had also established drop-in centres across all tertiary institutions to serve as drug abuse research centres for the benefit of all.
He said the Command, under his watch, had seized 4.5 tonnes of illicit substances and arrested 863 suspects.
Of those arrested, he said 53 had been convicted while 736 were undergoing counselling.