According to a report by the Punch on Saturday, September 27, 2025, a dangerous and inexpensive street drug known locally as “suck-and-die” is rapidly spreading among Nigerian youth, creating a public health crisis that is transforming teenagers and young adults into addicts while exposing them to severe health risks and sudden death. The chemical solvent, marketed secretly and inhaled for its fleeting high, represents a growing threat to vulnerable populations across the country.
The substance, referred to on the streets as “Sukudie,” has infiltrated neighborhoods, school compounds, and hidden hangouts, with users describing intense but temporary sensations of calmness and mental clarity. One 19-year-old user named Jacob explained the appeal of the discreet consumption method known as “bagging,” which involves trapping chemical fumes inside a plastic bag for inhalation. He noted the particular danger of this method’s subtlety, revealing: “Many teenagers do this even in front of their parents, and they will not know.”
This alarming disclosure highlights how the drug’s inconspicuous usage enables youth to engage in substance abuse undetected, even in family settings. Investigations reveal that “suck-and-die” is typically consumed through various methods including direct inhalation from containers and sniffing chemical-soaked rags. Each method delivers a rapid high by attacking the central nervous system but carries significant risks of sudden unconsciousness, poisoning, and fatal outcomes.
Drug rehabilitation advocates express grave concerns about the substance’s spread, noting that its cheap availability and discreet consumption methods make it particularly dangerous. The epidemic reflects broader societal challenges, with many users turning to substances as coping mechanisms for academic failures, family problems, and economic hardships. As this deadly drug continues to claim victims, experts warn that without immediate intervention, an entire generation of Nigerian youth faces permanent damage from this growing public health emergency.Continue, Full, Reading>>>>
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