Approximately 11.4% of Northern college students were previously involved in misuse of tramadol.
According to the International Journal of Research, the Journal of Sustance Use and Addiction Research, 24% of that number showed signs of dependence.
In his speech, reading on his behalf at the Stakeholder Strategy Mapping Meeting on the Fighting of Substance Abuse here on Monday, Northern Regional Minister Ali Adolf John Nublidiva lamented the trend and called for dramatic steps to address the threat.
The Minister said the findings highlighted the susceptibility of young people to substance abuse and the potential consequences for socioeconomic stability in the region.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders in the region to discuss strategies and methods for dealing with substance abuse in the region.
He said the government is committed to combating substance abuse and highlighted the need for collaboration to deal with ulcers.
The minister said that addressing substance abuse requires a joint approach involving government agencies, NGOs, religious and traditional leaders, educational institutions and individual citizens.
Therefore, he called for commitments and decisions, highlighting collective action, which is a key role in ensuring community health and future well-being.
Nburidiba also encouraged young people in the area to stop taking tramadol and other substances as they were the future leaders of the area.
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Northern Regional Security Liaison Officer Adams Mohammed said the threat of local substance abuse among young people is wary of the need to fight it.
He said statistics available for his outfit include a 28% increase in drug-related arrests and 1,200 school dropouts linked to drug threats.
Adams also called for more joint responses beyond security agencies, adding that the complexity of the threat requires several proposed actions.
He said these actions included the establishment of a local substance abuse prevention task force, co-executive work, community sensitization campaigns, youth engagement programs and intelligence sharing roundtables.
“Through these initiatives, the importance of collective action, critical measures and the united front will be achieved to effectively combat the drug abuse crisis,” he said.
He said working together will allow stakeholders to develop strategic, multi-faceted approaches to tackling pressing issues.
