Drug abuse as an enabler of cultism

Drug abuse has been established as a major cause of most criminal activities, including cultism, rape, terrorism and armed robbery, among others. Cultism has gone beyond the shores of educational institutions and now thrives within our closest clusters like religious groups, cultural associations, residential play and sport groups, and political associations; so is drug abuse.

With the youths holding a major percentage of persons within these groups, drug barons and their street dealing salesmen are gradually infiltrating the activities of these young ones with drug use culture, aimed at enhancing their participation in choice activities and area of interest, while leading them into cultism and various secret groups.

Drug abuse, due to its psychoactive and mindaltering effects, can render individuals vulnerable to recruitment by cult groups. Cult groups, mostly led by some undignified individuals, lure mostly young and bright persons with the illusion of offering them a supportive system with a purpose, while preying on their vulnerabilities ranging from struggles with academics, peer pressures, relationship issues, drug use dilemma and other factors.

Curbing the menace of drug abuse and cultism might be challenging but not impossible, as it requires a multifaceted approach through practical preventive education and awareness about the risks involved.

One of the approaches I would recommend is for the majority of us, especially parents, religious and traditional leaders, to key into the prevention and awareness activities of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

Recognising the link between drug abuse and cultism is essential for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.