The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Initiatives Against Addiction and Substance Abuse in Nigeria (IAASAN) have decried the high drug abuse among Nigerian youths.
To end this menace, the agency is advocating for drug integrity tests for intending couples to reduce the increasing number of marital crises in society.
The Chairman of NDLEA, Buba Marwa made the call at a Conference of the Initiatives Against Addiction and Substance Abuse in Nigeria (IAASAN) in Abuja over the weekend.
The conference’s theme was ”Drug and Substance Abuse; the Effect of Mental Health and National security.”
IAASAN is the pet project of Etsu Nupe, His Royal Highness Yahaya Abubakar.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of IAASAN, Princess Raphael, an American citizen, noted that drug abuse is a serious social problem which is impacting positively on the health and well-being of Nigerians, especially the youths.
Princess Raphael said she was delighted to attend the conference, which is an opportunity to strengthen the fight against drug and substance abuse in the country.
She said, “Very importantly is the fact that some victims of drug and substance abuse in our communities feel more comfortable expressing or talking to their traditional leaders and for this reason, it is only imperative for us to increase our collaboration and actively work with them in the fight against this menace in the society.”
She called on to regulate the pharmacies and monitor what they are doing, adding that the organisation is working to catch the younger population and ensure that they don’t get involved in drugs.
On his part, Chairman of NDLEA, Brig. Gen Buba Mohammed Marwa (retd) said that drug abuse is prevalent in Nigeria, but most Nigerians do not know it.
NDLEA called for drug integrity tests for security agencies, drivers, students, politicians, and parents.
He warned that the increase in the use of cannabis and other drug traffickers has become not only a major challenge to Nigeria’s social structure but also a threat to the country’s economy, national security, and development agenda.
Marwa said that the government and all security forces must take a stand against the abuse of illicit drugs. She commended joint operations against drug traffickers, accusing them of destroying lives and families in our communities.
