By; DAHIRU SULEIMAN, Dutse
A recent report worldwide on drug abuse has indicated that over 36 million people suffered from drug abuse disorders, while in Nigeria, released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime had placed 14.3 million drug users of which three million population suffered from drug abuse related cases in the country.
Presenting a paper on “Dangers of Drug Abuse, Consequences, and Prevention” at a one-day sensitization workshop on drug abuse and immorality, religious and social approaches to curbing the menace organized by Youth and Civil Society for Development.
National Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, General Muhammad Buba Marwa, ( rtd) ably represented by Jigawa NDLEA Director, Mrs Maryam Sani stated that drug markets on the dark web only emerged a decade ago, but major ones are now worth US $315 million in annual sales.
“Although this is just a fraction of overall drug sales, the trend is upwards with a four-fold increase between 2011 to mid 2017 and mid 2017 to 2020,” she said.
According to her, rapid technological innovation, combined with the agility and adaptability of those using new platforms to sell drugs and other substances is likely to usher in a globalized market where all drugs are more available and accessible everywhere.
“This in turn could trigger accelerated changes in patterns of drug use and entail public health implications, according to the report.
“On drug abuse addictions, A nationwide survey of high schools students in the country has revealed that 65 per cent use drugs to have a good time with their friends, 54 per cent want to experiment to see what it is like, and 20 to 40 per cent use it to alter their moods, just to feel good, relax, or to relieve tension,” she said.
According to her, “in order to overcome drug abuse amongst our youths and students, certain measures such as Influence of peer group, curiosity and desire in finding the effectiveness of drug abuse, environmental condition, lack of parental supervision among other societel problems must be identified with a view to tackling them.
“We the NDLEA as one of the federal govt agencies will not relent in our efforts in preventing illegal practice of drug abuse, prevention and control through the adoption of stern measures, and penalties for the offender’s in our bid to cleanse the society of bad eggs and immorality among our teeming youths and students,” she assured.
In his key note address, Dr. Mustapha Hussein Danjuma, a Deputy Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Federal University Dutse, noted that the youth are rated among the high risk category of drug abusers in the country, whereas society’s wide use and abuse of drugs and substances is encouraged by the entire general public’s conception that they can never abstain from all drug use.
“To curb the menace and immorality in our campuses of higher Institutions, preventive rather than reactive or responsive approach should be adopted. Therefore, the adoption of a realistic policy that seeks to minimize the harm caused by different drugs is sought,” he advised.
Dr. Danjuma advocated for synergy amongst stakeholders on prevention of drug addiction syndrome and that should not be restricted between law enforcement agencies but be extended to informal institutions such as the family, religious leaders and the community.
Similarly, he suggested the formation of Guidance and Counselling Units in tertiary institutions on how to avoid drug abuse.
“Also, there is need for introduction of citizenship education and value re-orientation in order to enlighten the society on the dangers, and implications of social crime prevention in controlling the behaviour of both our youth and students,” he suggested.
In his remarks, a former Executive Director, NAFDAC, Pharmacist Ubale Hashim suggested preventive control measures from availability and usage of illicit drugs from the hands of users by security and federal agencies such as NAFDAC, the NDLEA, the parents and community as issues of drug abuse needs collaborative efforts to curb the menace for a society free of immorality and drug addiction.
Also speaking, the National President of Youth and Civil Society for Development, Comrade Aminu Aminu said the idea of holding public lecture with this magnificent tagged, “Drug abuse and immorality” was aimed to focus on consequences of the menace on societal disintegration of social vices as it affects our societal growth and development as well as tarnish the images of youth who are future leaders.
He stressed that drug abuse plays negative role in polluting society with all manners of immorality, plunging youth into bleak future, hence their resolve to call for joint efforts in putting to a halt to the menace for a decent society.
