The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised concerns over the growing exposure of adolescents to cannabis, warning that young people remain highly vulnerable to addiction as critical parts of the brain are still developing.
The warning came during an interactive session organized by the NDLEA, and hosted by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi on Friday.
According to him, important brain regions linked to decision-making, reward processing, executive function and impulse control continue developing into the 30s, making adolescents and young adults more susceptible to substance abuse and addiction.
“The adolescent brain is still developing, especially the prefrontal cortex. Brain development continues into the 30s, this making it highly sensitive and more vulnerable to the chemistry of addiction compared to adults,” he said.
Musa said the increasing perception that cannabis is less harmful than other substances has contributed to rising use among young people, while many families fail to detect addiction early because they often dismiss cannabis use as harmless.
“Cannabis affects the brain’s reward circuitry and may alter normal brain development in adolescents, increasing the likelihood of dependency and long-term behavioral challenges.”
“To the best of my knowledge, there is no pharmacological intervention for cannabis use disorder, even in adults. Current treatments are mainly psychosocial therapies and contingency management programs aimed at helping young people unlearn the behavior,” he emphasized .
Musa further linked cannabis abuse among adolescents to mental health conditions including anxiety and depression, which often emerge during the same stage of development.
He explained that treating young people struggling with both substance abuse and mental health disorders requires careful assessment of their background, environment, family structure and social influences.
The neuroscientist also urged parents and guardians to replace punitive responses with support and understanding, describing addiction as a disease of the brain rather than a moral failure.
“We support and do not punish because we are not against the drug user, we are against the drugs.”
Speaking at the close of the session, Babafemi described Musa as a researcher with both academic expertise and lived experience in the field of addiction and substance abuse.
“Dr. Musa’s presentation and responses are important in guiding public understanding of the dangers cannabis poses to adolescents and young people,” he added.
Persecondnews also reports that the session ended with participants emphasizing the need for stronger awareness campaigns, preventive education and family support systems to protect young people from drug abuse and addiction.
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