By Omoyeni Ojeifo
A renewed promise of treatment, rehabilitation and stronger prevention efforts has offered hope to thousands of Nigerians affected by drug addiction as the Federal Government stepped up its response to the growing drug crisis.
Persecondnews correspondent reports that the commitment was made on Wednesday at the National Drug Use Summit in Abuja.
The summit, themed “Addressing Illicit Drug Use and Trafficking: A Call to National Action,” was jointly organized by the NDLEA, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the UNODC.
In his opening remarks, Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling illicit drug use and protecting the wellbeing of Nigerians.
Represented by Permanent Secretary, General Services, Dr. Adamu Ibrahim Kana, Akume, said the Tinubu administration would continue to strengthen prevention, treatment and rehabilitation efforts.
“On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I want to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to preventing illicit drug use, dismantling trafficking networks, expanding access to treatment and rehabilitation, and promoting the wellbeing of all Nigerians,” he said.
Akume warned that no nation could achieve sustainable development while its youth remained threatened by substance abuse and addiction.
“No society can attain lasting peace and prosperity when criminal networks engaged in illicit trafficking continue to undermine its institutions and exploit its vulnerabilities.”
He described the summit as an opportunity to deepen partnerships and build a healthier, safer and more resilient Nigeria.
“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are building resilient communities, promoting mental health, empowering our young people and strengthening the institutions that must confront these emerging social challenges.”
Akume commended the NDLEA, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the UNODC for convening the summit.
In his welcome address, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, NDLEA Chairman/ CEO, said the country’s drug challenge required a united national response to tackle it in its entirety.
“No single institution can successfully confront the drug problem in isolation. The scale of this challenge demands a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response,” he said.
He called for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to tackle the drug menace in society.
“The scale of this challenge demands synergy between the government, society, every stakeholder, communities, families, development partners, the private sector, religious and traditional leaders, civil society and the media.”
He said the summit would help shape a coordinated national strategy to tackle drug abuse and strengthen community resilience.
Highlighting the agency’s achievements in the fight against illicit drugs, Marwa said the NDLEA had intensified efforts in both drug supply and demand reduction across the country.
Marwa said the agency arrested 29,262 suspects in the last 18 months and dismantled several drug trafficking networks across the country.
He said officers also seized 5,305,484.88 kilogrammes of illicit drugs worth over N1.5 trillion and secured 5,225 convictions during the period.
Marwa said the NDLEA conducted 6,645 drug prevention campaigns nationwide, reaching nearly five million Nigerians through schools, communities, worship centres and workplaces.
He added that 13,508 people received counselling, treatment and rehabilitation through the agency’s 31 rehabilitation centres nationwide.
The NDLEA’s Boss noted that the agency had also launched the Alternative Development Initiative to support cannabis growers in transitioning to legitimate cash crop production and other sustainable livelihoods.
He said the summit was convened as a platform for reflection, dialogue and collective action on the growing burden of drug use and substance use disorders in Nigeria.
On his part, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, urged participants to focus on practical outcomes rather than resolutions.
“The measure of this summit will not be the communique. It will be the number of young people who choose not to start drugs,” he said.
“It will be the number of patients who sleep without pain. It will be the number of families restored. The Federal Ministry of Health stands ready to lead, coordinate, collaborate and deliver.”
Pate said the Federal Ministry of Health was ready to lead, coordinate, collaborate and deliver on measures that would strengthen prevention, treatment and recovery services across the count.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Representative to Nigeria, Cheikh Ousmane Touré, represented by Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga, said Nigeria’s evolving drug challenge required urgent and coordinated action.
“The scale and evolving nature of drug use in Nigeria require us to act with urgency, but also with clarity and purpose. Beyond the numbers are lives, communities and futures that depend on the strength of our response.”
Touré said the United Nations remained united in supporting Nigeria’s efforts to build a comprehensive and evidence-based response to illicit drug use and trafficking.
He said the summit was convened as a platform for reflection, dialogue and collective action on the growing burden of drug use and substance use disorders in Nigeria.
Persecondnews reports that the summit attracted representatives of ministries, departments and agencies, security organisations, development partners, NGOs and civil society organisations to strengthen collaboration and chart a coordinated response to illicit drug use and trafficking in Nigeria.
Author
Leave a comment