Some Stakeholders have called on government at all levels to step up action against open sales and consumption of hemp and other hard drugs across the county.
They made the call while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
The Executive Director, Vanguard Against Drug Abuse, (VGADA) Dr Hope Omeiza said that curbing open sales and illicit drug consumption has been a major challenge affecting the growth of the country and needed urgent attention.
Omeiza said that tackling illicit drug consumption among youths and teenagers would include the provision of employment, support from families, more awareness by law enforcement agencies, education among others.
He said that youths in the country have continued to face challenges such as unemployment, lack of education and family support.
He also said that idleness, peer pressure and naive curiosity also accounted for the increasing rate of open sales and illicit drug consumption among youths in the country.
He added that prevention of drug abuse by youths and teenagers was far better than treating it, adding that prevention would help eradicate the menace.
According to him, NGOs like VGADA were created to stop the scourge of drug abuse and to educate people on preventive measures.
“That is what we are doing and what we will continue to do to ensure further complications do not occur.
“However, Government at all levels need to step up efforts in tackling these issue of open sales and illicit drug consumption.
“We have been organising programs to help the youths and also creating awareness on dangers of open sales and illicit drug consumption.
“Last year, we begin a campaign to steer 1000 youths away from drugs and we are still doing the program. We are also supporting those already hooked to illicit drugs to access therapy.
“These are the efforts we have made so far by complimenting what the government is doing. No doubt, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is trying and we commend them for the good work.
“But they need to do more to ensure that these Menace was curbed and eradicate to the barest minimum, the dangers of open sales and illicit drug consumption, “he said.
Omeiza however, urged the government to look into the challenges and other harmful reasons driving youths into illicit drug consumption.
Founder, the Useful Youth Vision Concepts (UYVC), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Mrs Adetokunbo Shonibare stressed the need for the public and the private sector to unite against drug and substance abuse.
Shonibare said that everyone must support the fight to end the menace adding that community leaders, Traditional rulers and Civil Society Organisations should do more in tackling the scourge.
According to her, It is a growing nuisance in many places across the country.
“You could literally see them selling these drugs and consuming it and youths who have become drug-addicted, have no regard for their lives.
“NDLEA is doing their best. However, more needed to be done. We all need to fight to put a stop to drug abuse, illicit trafficking and unlawful trade.
“As NGO, we have decided to carry out more awareness in some high-profile areas in commemoration of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Trafficking coming up on June 26, “she said.
A medical expert, Dr Ogbeide Iyamah advocated for support rather than punishing illicit drug users as an effective way to win the fight against open sales and illicit drug consumption.
Iyamah believed that since nation leaders employed the use of force in the control of illicit drugs, the problem had remained with more
casualties recorded on a daily basis.
He however, acknowledged that the Nigerian Government through NDLEA , had clamped down on illicit drug users and traffickers in recent times.
He said “stigmatisation of illicit drug users should not be paramount. We all need to focus more on treatment and rehabilitation.
“We acknowledged the efforts of the NDLEA as it has been yielding some results, but the use of force alone cannot help curb the menace, “he said.
