Politics
By Anayo Ezugwu
AHEAD of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking on June 26, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says that the drug war is meant to ameliorate the suffering of drug abuse victims. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, chairman/chief executive of NDLEA, noted that this year’s theme ‘Better knowledge for Better Care’ is one major drawback in the fight against abuse particularly, not discounting trafficking though.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Monday, June 22, Abdallah said that ignorance was a major impediment militating against the lofty goals set by the United Nations, UN. According to him, the absence of information, misinformation, and outright disinformation have each played parts in varying degrees.
“Effective responses to the extant problem require many more and varied hands-on deck-policy makers, NGOs, CSOs, Corporate World, Community Leaders, Religious Leaders, Educators at all levels and increasingly service providers. All of this diverse assemblage of groups must work together to understand drug disorders are a multifactor health issue. The UN Outcome Document of 2016 puts its stamp of authority on that. Summarily, it is a health-related issue desirous of compassion and help, rather than a moral stigma to be punished.
“Drug use disorders are the result of a complex interplay of factors, including genetics, mental health, and the environment amongst others. This is why caregivers must be adequately knowledgeable and here the capacity to work with vulnerable and drug-dependent persons. Mere sloganism will not wash. This year’s Commemoration encourages one and all to get involved in the campaign against the illicit consumption and use of drugs not administered by Clinicians.
“This opens the channel for dry dependent persons to access interventions, including healthcare, social support, and education. In light of the prevailing atmosphere of COVID 19, drug-dependent persons are more acutely at risk because of their usually attendant underlying health issues, social stigmatization, and the dearth of access to health care. Making matters worse, is the fact that the front burner currently is the exclusive pressure of COVID-19, other matters less so. That is why there has never been a tome much worse for drug-dependent persons.
“The lockdown merely accentuated the dilemma. As drugs of choice became scarce, increased experimentation with newer concoctions and sell mediation world only have aggravated the problem. Chances are newer forms of addictions hitherto unknown may be here to be contended with. Remember also withdrawal syndrome might occur, having cut short the supply chain as a result of the lockdown,” he said.
According to Abdallah, June 26 every year is designated as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking by the UN. “Nation Actors the world over are expected to bring to the fore to serve as a reminder, issues pertaining to drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking. It is an occasion to sensitize the general populace, lest they forget the issues revolving around drug menace the world over. Additionally, it is expected to galvanize nations of the world to demonstrate the political will clearly, by backing promises made in support of the United Nations’ clarion call, with resources to help in the efforts against these twin monstrous problems – abuse and trafficking.
“Nigeria is an active member of the UN has always recognized and celebrated the commemoration of this day –usually with a week-long chain of events that climaxed on June the 26th, the actual day reserved to mark the occasion. Recall I just said 2020 was an unusual year as if any normal person needs any reminders. The fact of Covid-19 is legion and that is why the Day is marked differently this year. Nonetheless, the strategy remains to make use of you – the Mainstream Media – our natural and traditional allies and the in-vogue Social Media, to reach out to the general populace, particularly the vulnerable groups.
“All these must achieve while respecting the government’s protocols on social distancing, limitation as to the size of crowd/gathering and article of faith – Face Mask. Somehow, we must navigate the maze and reach the doorsteps of our citizenry the anti-drug message. This is where we count on you. We have moved from the theme for the last 4 years – which was Listen First and Health for Justice, Justice for Health. The Theme this year is Better knowledge for Better Care. This underscores the thrusts of the combined efforts of nations of the world.”
– Jun. 22, 2020 @ 16:39 GMT |
Tags: NDLEA celebrates International Day against Drug Abuse
