War against drug abuse in Nigeria received a boost today as the chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency opened up a historic partnership with the wives of all the governors in a bid to curb the menace.
Chairman of NDLEA, Brig General Mohamed Buba Marwa noted that the workshop is of great significance to the strategic effort to control the abuse, trafficking and consequences of illicit drugs in our country. “As we all are aware, the drug problem has become one of the world’s greatest challenges that threaten the well-being of human society. Consequences of drug abuse, including chronic health conditions and untimely death, are existential threats that cannot be ignored by any responsible government.
As if that is not enough, we have also become a dumping ground for illicit pharmaceutical opioids, especially codeine and tramadol, just as we remain Africa’s major transit country for cocaine and heroin. “Just last year, the World Drug Report 2021 warned of a likely 11% increase in the number of people who abuse illicit substances over the next eight years. About 40% of that increase is projected to come from Africa alone. When they say Africa, we should think of Nigeria, the most populous country on the continent.
“Meanwhile, in the background, we are also ramping up drug demand reduction activities such as counselling, treatment, care and rehabilitation with steady progress. From January 2021 to May 2022, a total of 11, 523 drug users have been counselled and treated in NDLEA facilities mostly through brief interventions.