By Kingsliey Agbor
Ikom Local Government Area in Cross River State was once admired for its vibrant markets, rich traditions, and hardworking young population. Today, that image is fading. In its place is a troubling reality, one marked by addiction, broken families, and a generation slowly losing its way to hard drugs.
A recent visit to Ikom revealed a deeply unsettling situation. Young people who should be in classrooms, learning trades, or building meaningful futures now wander the streets in distress. Substances like Colorado, Ice, Tramadol, Codeine, and Monkey Tail have become all too common, replacing ambition with dependency. What once appeared as isolated cases has grown into a widespread crisis affecting schools, motor parks, and even homes.
Across areas like Ikom town, four corners, and other neighbouring communities and local governments within and outside the senatorial district, it is no longer unusual to see teenagers slumped by the roadside or behaving erratically under the influence.
Many drop out of school before reaching senior secondary levels. Others resort to stealing from their own families just to sustain their addiction. The reality is stark: hard drugs are steadily destroying the lives and potential of Ikom’s youth and beyond. If left unchecked, the community risks raising a generation unable to contribute meaningfully to society.
The question is unavoidable: How did things get this bad? The answer is not hidden. Drug peddlers operate openly, selling to children as young as 13. They disguise their trade behind kiosks, beer parlours, and small shops. For as little as ₦2000, a young person’s future can be compromised. The absence of consistent enforcement has only emboldened these dealers, allowing the problem to spread unchecked.
This is no longer an issue that families can handle alone; it is a full-scale community emergency. Immediate and decisive action is required.
The government must move beyond promises and take concrete steps. Strengthening the presence and operations of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ikom is critical. Enforcement efforts must be consistent, intelligence-driven, and uncompromising. Adequate resources, personnel, vehicles, and local support are necessary to dismantle drug networks in the area.
At the local level, there is an urgent need for a dedicated anti-drug task force. A body such as an Ikom Drug Monitoring Committee should be established, bringing together security agencies, youth leaders, and respected community figures. Its role would be to identify offenders, support enforcement efforts, and ensure accountability. No individual or group should be beyond scrutiny.
Traditional rulers and community leaders also have a vital role to play. Silence is no longer an option. Town hall meetings should be convened to address the crisis openly, especially in this political season. Families that knowingly protect drug dealers must be challenged, and local vigilante groups should collaborate with authorities to expose those responsible. When communities shield offenders, they enable their own decline. At the same time, it is important to recognize that those struggling with addiction are not beyond help. They are victims in need of support, not just condemnation. Establishing a functional rehabilitation and counselling centre in Ikom is necessary. Partnerships between religious institutions, NGOs, and the local government can provide pathways for recovery and reintegration.
What is happening in Ikom is a warning sign. If ignored, the consequences will extend beyond addiction, leading to increased crime, mental health crises, and the tragic loss of young lives. The future of the people is at stake.
Ikom is bleeding, but it is not beyond healing. The government must act decisively. Community leaders must speak out. Parents, teachers, and young people themselves must take a stand and say, “Enough is enough.”
The time to act is now. Not tomorrow, but today.
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