Are Lagos, Rivers States Children Being Addicted To This?

A shocking nationwide survey by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has exposed a heartbreaking reality on children as young as below 13 years are freely accessing and consuming alcohol, with Rivers and Lagos leading the troubling trend.

The study, conducted in collaboration with the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria and carried out by Research and Data Solutions Ltd, Abuja, surveyed 1,788 respondents across six states between June and August 2021.

It focused on access to alcohol and drinking frequency among minors (below 13 years), underaged persons (13 to 17 years), and adults (18 years and above).

Presenting the findings on Tuesday, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, described alcohol as “one of the most widely used substances of abuse among youths.”

She emphasized, “the availability and easy access to alcohol have been identified as a contributory factor to the increasing alcohol consumption among minors.”

The report paints a picture of vulnerable young lives at risk, where small sachets and PET bottles make it dangerously simple for children to obtain strong drinks without adult supervision.

According to the report, 54.3 per cent of minors and underage respondents obtained alcohol by themselves. Nearly half, 49.9 per cent, purchased drinks in sachets or PET bottles.

Rivers State recorded the highest rates at 68.0 per cent for sachets and 64.5 per cent for PET bottles, followed by Lagos with 52.3 per cent and 47.7 per cent respectively. Kaduna came in lower at 38.6 per cent for sachets and 28.4 per cent for PET bottles.

The proportion was higher among males (51.4 per cent sachets) than females (41.5 per cent), and more common in rural areas (50.1 per cent) compared to urban (45.3 per cent).

Children accessed alcohol from friends and relatives (49.9 per cent), social gatherings (45.9 per cent), and even parents’ homes (21.7 per cent).

Among those buying it themselves, 47.2 per cent of minors and 48.8 per cent of underaged respondents chose sachets, while 41.2 per cent of minors and 47.2 per cent of underaged bought PET bottles.

On frequency, 63.2 per cent of minors and 54.0 per cent of underaged were occasional drinkers, yet 9.3 per cent of minors and a staggering 25.2 per cent of underaged reported drinking daily.

The report issues a clear call to action, urging stricter regulation stating that 'access to alcohol by children can be limited if pack sizes that can be easily concealed are not available.'

It further recommends, 'A ban on small pack sizes, including sachets and bottles below 200 millilitres, can reduce the menace of underage drinking. Consumption of alcohol by children should raise alarm for parents, teachers, religious leaders and the community at large.'