James gave the figure at an event in Benin to mark the 2012 UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
He said that 70 per cent of the psychiatric patients were mostly young people who had engaged in illicit use of drugs.
``Over 200,000 users of illicit drugs die annually, and in spite of the UN's effort to tackle the menace, drug abuse has continued to be on the increase.
``Emphasis must be placed on the control of drug abuse as it can undermine the political stability of the country.''
According to James, everybody must be involved in the fight against drug abuse and illicit use of drugs
Also, Alhaji Sani Ibrahim, the Edo Commander of NDLEA, said the command had arrested about 151 drug dealers and cannabis growers in the state.
He also said the command seized and destroyed about 19, 612.4 kg of cannabis, 6.5 gm of heroine and 67 hectares of cannabis farms.
According to Ibrahim, the prosecution of the drug growers, dealers and traffickers has been the most important aspect of the job.
``Our command has successfully convicted 23 persons to various jail terms, all without option of fine and they are all serving their jail terms presently.''
The theme of this year's celebration is: ``Global Action for Healthy Communities without Drugs’’.
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