Growing abuse of crack cocaine and a synthetic cannabis variant popularly known as “colos” is emerging as a major public health concern in Nigeria, with addiction experts warning that the substances are leaving many young people with devastating physical, psychological and social consequences.
The warning was contained in a documentary produced by NBG Africa, which featured firsthand accounts from recovering drug users alongside insights from addiction counsellors and mental health professionals on the increasing spread of the substances across communities, tertiary institutions and major urban centres.
According to the documentary, crack cocaine—a processed and highly potent derivative of cocaine—and colos, a synthetic psychoactive cannabis laced with harmful chemicals, are among the most dangerous illicit drugs currently gaining popularity among young Nigerians.
Experts interviewed in the report explained that while all illicit substances pose significant health risks, crack cocaine and colos are particularly dangerous because of their highly addictive properties and their profound impact on users’ behaviour, decision-making and mental health.
They noted that crack cocaine creates an intense craving that often drives users to seek repeated doses regardless of financial or personal consequences, while colos can trigger hallucinations, distorted perception, paranoia and episodes of psychosis that disconnect users from reality.
The documentary highlighted personal experiences of individuals battling addiction, revealing that substance abuse is frequently rooted in emotional trauma rather than mere experimentation.
One recovering addict, Rapheal Nwachukwu, narrated how he turned to crack cocaine after enduring multiple personal tragedies, including the loss of his job, wife and newborn child within a short period.
The university graduate said the drug initially appeared to ease his emotional pain but soon evolved into a destructive dependency that worsened his circumstances.
Another recovering user, Benedict, said peer pressure introduced him to drugs while he was a student.
Believing the substances would boost his creativity as an artist, he gradually became addicted to both crack cocaine and colos.
A third recovering addict recounted that he first purchased crack for friends before experimenting with it himself.
During the economic hardships brought on by the COVID-19 lockdown, he increasingly relied on the drug as a coping mechanism until he became addicted.
Mental health and addiction specialists featured in the documentary argued that drug dependence is often a symptom of deeper emotional and psychological distress rather than simply a result of poor decision-making.
They stressed that many users continue taking drugs despite fully understanding the associated health risks because addiction significantly impairs their ability to stop without structured medical and psychological intervention.
Severe Health and Social Consequences
The documentary warned that prolonged crack cocaine use can result in extensive dental damage, severe physical deterioration, financial ruin and social isolation.
Similarly, regular consumption of colos has been linked to impaired judgment, hallucinations, violent behavioural changes and psychotic episodes that may require emergency psychiatric care.
The experts noted that the growing availability of synthetic drugs presents an evolving challenge for healthcare providers and law enforcement agencies, particularly because many of the substances contain unknown chemical mixtures capable of causing unpredictable health complications.
To curb the rising trend, addiction specialists called for increased government investment in prevention campaigns, mental health services, counselling and rehabilitation programmes.
They argued that addressing the country’s substance abuse crisis requires more than law enforcement, stressing the importance of equipping young people with emotional resilience, coping skills and access to mental health support before they resort to drugs.
The experts concluded that a comprehensive response involving families, schools, healthcare professionals, community leaders and policymakers will be essential to reducing drug dependence and protecting Nigeria’s youth from the long-term consequences of addiction.