The Nigerian public has been challenged to get involved and take full ownership of the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking to curb the menace and prevent young people from falling into the drug trap.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), made this charge at a joint press conference with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) yesterday to announce a week of activities to commemorate this year’s World Drug Day.
“As we enter another United Nations year focused on prevention, it is vital to stress that the responsibility of shielding our citizens from harmful substances does not rest solely on the shoulders of the NDLEA. It is a collective duty that demands the involvement of all, including the general public.
“On our part, we shall intensify our War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy initiatives to further support families, schools, communities, workplaces, places of worship, associations, and trade unions in raising awareness on the dangers of illicit drug use and how to avoid falling victim,” Marwa stated.
He noted that each year, World Drug Day is guided by a unique theme that shapes the global response to the challenges of drug abuse and illicit trafficking over the following 12 months, adding that this year’s theme “will once again serve as a framework for our awareness campaigns, stakeholder engagements, and community outreach efforts.”He said the theme for this year is: The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention. According to him, “We have lined up a variety of impactful activities beginning with today’s press briefing and culminating in the grand finale on June 26. These events are designed to raise public awareness, encourage dialogue, and galvanise collective action to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
“On Friday, June 20, we will hold a Juma’at service at the National Mosque, Abuja. The following day, Saturday, June 21, at 8:00 a.m., we will stage a Walk Against Drug Abuse in collaboration with MTN Nigeria Foundation and the University of Abuja at the university campus in Gwagwalada.
“On Sunday, June 22, a Thanksgiving Service will be held at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Regional Church, Wuye, Abuja, starting at 10:00 a.m. We will begin the following week with the final stage of an Essay Competition on Monday, June 23.” “In this round, schoolchildren will present letters on the theme: Why I Must Not Take Drugs. The event will be held at the NDLEA Conference Room at our headquarters in Jahi. The day will also include various NGO-led drug prevention and youth engagement activities.”
“Our focus on Tuesday, June 24, will be on out-of-school youth. To this end, we will conduct an outreach campaign in markets and motor parks across the FCT Area Councils, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Finally, on Thursday, June 26, which marks World Drug Day, we will hold the grand finale—a commemorative event at the State House Conference Centre, commencing at 9:00 a.m.” He said that as part of efforts to address the country’s drug use situation, the NDLEA has also continued on an upward trajectory in terms of arrests, convictions, and seizures.
“We are also modernising our approach to enforcing drug laws by embedding innovation in our operations. Notably, the use of body cameras has now been fully integrated into our field activities. Overall, the past year has witnessed significant positive developments in our offensive against drug traffickers and barons.
“In the four and a half years of my leadership, the agency has been advancing steadily on the path of reform and progress. Earlier this year, in February, we commissioned our first barracks in Yola, Adamawa State. In April, we commissioned both an accommodation facility and a rehabilitation centre in Kano. At present, the barracks in Abuja stands almost ready for commissioning, while the one in Lagos is nearing completion,” he added.
Also, the UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Ousman Toure, represented by the Deputy Head of UNODC in Nigeria, Danilo Campisi, emphasised the importance of preventive measures in addressing the global drug use problem.
He said, “The illicit drug trade is deeply connected to other crimes, including human trafficking, illegal mining, and environmental destruction. Its proceeds often finance violent extremist groups, further destabilising affected regions. Together, these interconnected crimes are part of a vicious circle that entrenches poverty, exploitation, institutional weakness, and addiction.”
THE GUARDIAN
