By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development is collaborating with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA to combat substance and drug abuse in the country.
The Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq disclosed this at a Psychosocial Support and Integration of Victims of Drug and Substance Abuse held at NDLEA Rehabilitation Facility in Gudu, Abuja on Tuesday.
Farouq said that the objective of the collaboration is to free the society from the scourge of drugs and substance abuse which has caused untold misery to individuals and families.
The Minister who was represented by the Director Humanitarian Affairs Department, Alhaji Ali Grema stated that the Federal Government is determined to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of a free drug society.
“This meeting is part of our commitment to deal with the menace and issues surrounding drug abuse and provide an avenue for the expression of collaborative commitment of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency to combat the problem in all its forms.
“As a Ministry charged with the responsibility of Social Development, we want to begin a process of focusing on the socio- economic challenges faced by the clients of illicit drugs and substance abuse, not only in Abuja but throughout the federation.”
Farouq used the occasion to call on youths to refrain from abusing drugs and other harmful substances adding that they are injurious to health and their future.
She noted that the most effective tool to combat drug use is to strengthen prevention programmes and treatment for victims.
The minister further promised that the ministry will provide National Social Investment Programme opportunities for victims under rehabilitation by the NDLEA.
“Clients will undergo training in their various choice skills and will be equipped with starter packs for easy integration into the society.”
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA Brig. Gen. Mohaammed Buba Marwa (Rtd) OFR represented by the Agency’s Secretary, Barrister Shedrack Haruna laudable the programme as first of its kind.
“The use of psychoactive substances such as alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine as well as prescription medications exert tremendous toll on the individual, families and the society. Substance abuse affects the physical, social and psychological levels of the user and family members.”
“Findings from the National Drug Use Survey (2018) conducted by UNODC reviewed that 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15-64 years had used psychoactive substances in the past year for non- medical purposes. More worrisome is that out of this figure, about 370,000 Nigerians have drug use disorder and in every 4 drug users in Nigeria, 1 is a woman.”
“Globally, there is a shift in drug policy which sees drug as a public health issue. Therefore, reducing the demand for drugs depends to a large extent on the successful treatment and reintegration of people who use drugs.”
Haruna congratulated the clients for being the first beneficiaries of the Social Investment Programmes and charged them to be good ambassadors and commended
the ministry for providing starter packs to equip the clients with skills to facilitate their rehabilitation and reintegration to their families and society.
The Humanitarian ministry donated 20 Tablets, 5 industrial Gas Cookers, 5 industrial frying pans and spoons for the rehabilitation of the clients.
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