Nigerian Senate moves to tackle drug, substance abuse
- The Nigerian Senate will hold a round-table on Monday, December 18 and Tuesday, December 19
- This is part of the Senate's efforts to stop drug and substance abuse around the nation
- The round-table is expected to address issues related to the widespread use of drug and other illegal substances
The Nigerian Senate has moved to address the widespread use of drug and other illegal substances through a stakeholder round-table with state governments, local governments, traditional rulers, the Pharmace*tical Council of Nigeria and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
This is following the Senate’s resolution in October on the state of drug and substance abuse around the nation.
READ ALSO: President Buhari orders crackdown on drug traffickers
Legit.ng gathered that the objective of the round-table which will hold in Kano state on Monday, December 18 and Tuesday, December 19, is to bring together relevant stakeholders to discuss:
1. The drivers of drug abuse in Nigeria
2. Identify the psycho-social and medical impact of the phenomenon
3. Assess current responses and
4. Assess legislative gaps and opportunities for action
The expected outcomes of the round-table include
1. Gaining a better understanding of drug use, prevalence, trends and patterns in Nigeria
2. Understanding the current government and Civil Society capacity and efforts towards addressing drug abuse and related issues
3. Gain insight into legislative, policy gaps and develop an Action Plan for interventions by the National Assembly and other stakeholders.
Earlier this year, Senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki, had expressed his concern about the widespread abuse of drug by youths in the country.
“I will be pushing for the National Assembly to review all relevant laws on drug abuse. This will help to curb the widespread misuse of illegal and unsanitary substances. The Senate will engage with all relevant stakeholders as we initiate this process,” Saraki said via his Twitter handle.
The round-table will allow the Senate to effectively analyze Nigeria’s response to the menace and come up with appropriate strategies on the way forward.
Meanwhile, the Kogi state police command has dismissed three of its officers for their alleged involvement in the trafficking of 30 bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
The command’s public relations officer, William Aya, who confirmed this recently, said the officers were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for prosecution.
According to him, the officers were dismissed after they were found guilty by a board room trial conducted by the police.
READ ALSO: NDLEA boss not fraternizing with drug barons - Spokesman
Ex-prisoner turns advocate for release of former inmates on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
