President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday inaugurated two-tier Presidential Intervention Structure on the Elimination of Drug and Substance Abuse.
He also called for collective action to help those enslaved by drugs in order to build a new life.
The President inaugurated members of the Presidential Intervention Structure of the Ministerial Committee and Presidential Advisory Committee on the Elimination of Drug Abuse at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to him, the challenges associated with drug abuse have grown to become a major public health problem in the country.
Nigeria, which was considered as a transit nation for illicit drugs before 2013, he noted had now been internationally recognized as a user nation.
He recalled the worrisome statistics of several reports including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency which revealed that about three million codeine syrups bottles were consumed daily in Kano and twice that amount in the North-West region of Nigeria alone.
He said “This is a situation of emergency and we must face and address it as such,’’
He also pointed out that the use and abuse of drugs by adolescents have become one of the most disturbing health related phenomena in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
“Many schools going adolescents experience mental health issues, either temporarily or for a long period of time. Some become insane, cannot remain in schools and eventually drop out.
“Drug and alcohol abuse are also major occupational hazards among Nigerian workers, professionals, notably drivers, which contribute to making Nigerian roads particularly dangerous. The drugs that are commonly abused include but not limited to alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, Tramadol, codeine, etc.
“Today marks the beginning of another milestone in correcting the root cause of some of the ills of today’s society in order to safeguard our common existence and guarantee a brighter future for our current generation and those yet on born.
“The role is specifically targeted at decimating the disastrous havoc that drug abuse could cause on the very fabric of our society,’’ he said.
He commended his wife for demonstrating passion and commitment to the cause by galvanizing the participation of First Ladies from the states through the Governors’ Wives Forum in conducting an assessment of the challenge in their respective domains, with the view to proffering measures to combat the menace.
“The appointment of the Wives of the President and the Vice-President as well as the Chairpersons of the North and South Governors’ Wives Forum as members of this committee is in recognition of their concerted efforts to the course of eradicating the menace of drug abuse from our society.
“Additionally, the participation of the First Ladies is meant to spur further involvement of women and mothers in particular, in view of the significant role they play in parenting and care.
“It is therefore expected that Governors’ Wives across the federation will take the lead in replicating this intervention structure at the states and local government levels,’’ he said.
The presidential structure at the federal level, he said, would facilitate implementation of government’s programmes and projects for effective delivery of policies, while a third level structure was proposed for the States, given the national spread of the malaise and the need for quick action at the root of the scourge.
The President revealed that the State Implementation Committee (SIC) would be established in all states of the federation to complement federal government’s efforts nationwide.
He said the High-Level Ministerial Steering Committee would be chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation while the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Elimination of Drug Abuse would be chaired by retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa.
Members of the Presidential Advisory Committee include Wives of the President and the Vice-President, representatives of Governors’ Wives Forum (North and South), Nigeria Custom Service, NAFDAC, NDLEA, Police and others.
The ministerial steering is charged with the responsibilities of integrating drug abuse issue into extant government policies and new initiatives and provides strategic direction and guidance on drug issues.
It is also to serve as a linkage between the federal government and other entities; synchronize and translate government policies into implementation plan and promote necessary executive/legislative actions.
In his remarks, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha described drug abuse epidemic as “a national emergency that calls for concerted and collaborative actions by all tiers of government, Non-Governmental Organisations, Development Partners, Civil Society Organisations and religious and traditional leaders.’’
He warned that the menace if not tackled expeditiously and firmly, it would in the long term, be more dangerous than any other challenges facing the nation, including the insurgency.
“We are now faced with a situation where multiple generations of the same family have become victims,’’ he noted. (The Nation)
