The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has called on Nigerians battling drug dependence to reach out for professional help through its round-the-clock counselling and referral service.
NDLEA Secretary Shadrach Haruna made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, marking the 2026 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Haruna urged not only those struggling with addiction but also their families and friends to contact the agency, stressing that recovery was achievable with the right support.
“We also urge families and friends of persons battling addiction to seek help from NDLEA. Recovery is possible with the right support and intervention,” he said.
He directed Nigerians to the agency’s dedicated helpline — 0800-1020-3040, known as the 247-Network — which he said was designed to provide immediate access to professional assistance regardless of the caller’s language.
“Anyone who calls the number will receive an instant response in whatever language they speak, whether Pidgin English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo or formal English,” Haruna said.
He noted that trained social psychologists are available at all times to counsel callers and refer them to the nearest treatment and rehabilitation centres.
Haruna said treatment and rehabilitation form essential pillars of NDLEA’s broader strategy, which also encompasses enforcement, prevention and public enlightenment.
On innovative approaches, he highlighted the agency’s growing partnerships with faith-based organisations, describing churches and religious bodies as critical stakeholders given their deep influence on families and communities.
“We involve a lot of innovative responses, and one of those is using faith-based organisations, which of course include churches,” he said.
He added that beyond reporting drug-related activities, these organisations contribute through counselling, moral teachings and family-focused interventions, serving as strategic platforms for grassroots anti-drug campaigns.
Haruna reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to expanding access to treatment and recovery services, and called on religious leaders, families and community stakeholders to support efforts aimed at reducing drug demand and helping individuals reclaim their lives from addiction.
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