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Tag: Drug abuse

  • Asagba of Asaba threatens to sanction title holders invovled in drug abuse

    Asagba of Asaba threatens to sanction title holders invovled in drug abuse

    The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, has warned that any titled holder in Asaba found to be involved in drug abuse will be stripped of their title.

    The pronouncement was made during a courtesy visit by the State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Halilu Hamidu in Asaba.

    He said that the Asaba people, on their own accord and initiative, recently rose to see how they could cleanse the community of drug peddlers, barons and addicts.

    ”It was well orchestrated and well planned undertaking which yielded a lot of positive results.

    ”I can say without equivocation now that as far as drug abuse is concerned, the whole town is very very quiet. And that’s flowing from the efforts of the community on their own.

    “We just didn’t stop there, we followed it up. I had to make a pronouncement from the throne that any Asaba titled man that is sufficiently considered to be, and that will be evidence-based, involved in drug trafficking will be stripped off his title and, if need be, made to go through the process all over again,” he said.

    Azinge however, expressed concern over the absence of an NDLEA office in Asaba, which hinders the agency’s effectiveness in tackling drug-related issues.

    He informed the commander that the Oshimili South Local Government Council Chairman, Dr Obi Ezenyili, had offered to provide office space for the agency.

    The Asagba also hinted at allegations of compromise and complicity among security agencies, which may be contributing to the drug problem in the community.

    He urged the NDLEA commander to take these concerns seriously and ensure that the agency maintained a high level of integrity.

    Earlier in his remarks, Hamidu, highlighted the challenges facing the agency, including the location of its headquarters in Ogwashi-Uku, which affects its response time to drug-related issues in Asaba.

    He commended the Asagba for his efforts in addressing the drug problem and solicited his continued support in finding solutions to the agency’s logistics problems.

    The state commander emphasised the importance of collaboration and community involvement in the fight against drug abuse.

    He called on all stakeholders to work together to create a drug-free Delta State.

  • NAFDAC warns Nigerian youths against illicit drugs

    NAFDAC warns Nigerian youths against illicit drugs

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerian youths to stay away from illicit drugs.

    The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, issued the warning at the inauguration of the NAFDAC Catch-Them-Young Consumer Safety Club (NCSC) at Government College, Bida, on Thursday.

    Adeyeye stressed that drug abuse posed significant risks to the health and future of the youth.

    The event had the theme, ‘Your Future Counts: Say No to Illicit Drugs and Yes to Life.’”

    The NAFDAC Catch-Them-Young Programme is aimed at reducing drug abuse among secondary school students through education and awareness campaigns.

    Adeyeye, who was represented by Mrs Harirah Abdullahi, highlighted that illicit drugs were a major public health concern, leading to addiction, mental health issues, and even death.

    She explained that both legal and illicit drugs could lead to addiction and emphasised the importance of honest conversations with students to help them make informed decisions.

    She added the programme also focused on the consequences of drug abuse, such as drug dependence, poor judgment, and impaired driving.

    Adeyeye encouraged students to resist peer pressure, avoid drug abuse, and seek professional help if necessary.

    She also emphasised the role of teachers in identifying behavioural problems and collaborating with parents and guardians in the fight against drug abuse.

    In his remarks, Malam Mohammed Danjuma, Principal of Government College, Bida, urged the students to take the information on drug abuse seriously, noting that drug abuse was a global problem.

    The NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club (NCSC) was re-established at the school, with 198 students inaugurated as members.

  • NAFDAC says about 14.3 million Nigerians abuse drugs

    NAFDAC says about 14.3 million Nigerians abuse drugs

    Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said that about 14.3 million or  Nigerians are victims of drug abuse.

    Adeyeye stated this at the inaugural ceremony of the agency’s youth programme, tagged, ‘’Catch Them Young,’’  held at the Government Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.

    According to her, research findings show that one out of every four high-risk drug users has been arrested for drug-related offences.

    She said that the arrest included 73 per cent for drug possession, 12 per cent for theft, five per cent for sex work, four per cent for burglary, and two per cent for shop lifting.

    “Note that this data only shows the number of arrests; if we consider that most crimes are unreported, then we will see that we have a huge problem on hands,’’ she said.

    Adeyeye, however, noted the negative effects of drug abuse on families, society, and the nation’s socio-economic development.

    She explained that the situation caused NAFDAC to initiate a comprehensive, coordinated, and  intensive programme, designed to reduce the prevalence of drug abuse among secondary school students.

    According to the DG, drug addiction can rise from both legal such as prescribed medicines and illicit drugs.

    “This programme is not designed to scare anyone but to have honest conversations with you.

    “This will help you to take informed decisions with regards to illicit drug use, including alcohol consumption,’’ she said.

    Speaking earlier, Mr Onogwu Emmanuel, State Coordinator, NAFDAC, Rivers, Mr Onogwu Emmanuel, stated the reason behind the sensitisation and capacity building programme being moved to secondary schools.

    He explained that the secondary students were most vulnerable, adding that the youths, as the future leaders, should actively participate in preventing drug abuse.

    He, however, said that two sch00ls were selected from each of the three senatorial zones of the state for the pilot phase of the project.

    In her remark, the Principal of the school, Gladys Iheumamme commended NAFDAC for the project and urged it to sustain it in order to save the future of the NIgerian youth.

  • CSOs, NDLEA hold walk against drug abuse in Plateau, task youths on prevention

    CSOs, NDLEA hold walk against drug abuse in Plateau, task youths on prevention

    Jide Oyekunle, Abuja

    A Non Governmental Organization (NGO) under the ageism of School Outreach for Better Education, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) and Office of the First Lady Plateau State have held a walk against drug abuse on Plateau.

    The campaign was held at the old airport road Jos to commemorate the 2024 International Day Against Drugs and Illegal Trafficking with the theme “ The Evidence is Clear; Invest in Prevention”.

    According to the Convener of SOBE,  Kenneth Anetor while speaking at the event said the walk is aimed at engaging the community, especially the youth, in understanding the dangers of drug abuse and the benefits of investing in preventive strategies.

    Kenneth emphasised on the theme of this year’s International Day Against Drugs and Illegal Trafficking, “The Evidence is Clear; Invest in Prevention” called for urgent need for effective preventive measures against drug abuse.

    On her own part the the First Lady of Plateau State, Mrs. Helen Mutfwang reiterated the state’s commitment to combat drug abuse in the state and ensuring that the youth channel their potential energy to productive ventures.

    Meanwhile, the Commander Plateau State Command of NDLEA, Anthony Gotar took time to  enlighten on the current drug trends, legal implications, and preventive measures while SOBE provides practical strategies for identifying and preventing drug abuse.

    The walk had over 2000 participants made up of government agencies, NGOs, CSOs and students, while the programme at the state government house had over 500 participants in attendance, including Commissioners and other state government officials

    Some of the organization who took part and contributed to the success of the event includes : A New Thing International Foundation, Caleb Initiative for Drug Abuse Awareness, Notch Lens Studio, Good Tides Foundation, Secure the Future International Foundation,

    Others are The; The Juli Education Foundation, Sarauniya Charity Foundation, Fresh From the Farm, Youth Against Addiction Initiative, PENKELLA, and Charis Healthcare and Community Support Initiative and MAY foundation.

    School Outreach for Better Education (SOBE) is a collocation of non-profit making organisation committed to enhancing the quality of education and promoting student well-being across Nigeria through various outreach programs and partnerships by discouraging substance abuse, bullying, and other social vices.

  • Ahead Paris Olympics: Lagos SWAN, NDLEA, Defence Hqtrs, Nigeria Police hold symposium on drugs abuse.

    Ahead Paris Olympics: Lagos SWAN, NDLEA, Defence Hqtrs, Nigeria Police hold symposium on drugs abuse.

    On Thursday, 30 May 2024, the second edition of the national symposium being organized by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos chapter with active collaboration from the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Defence Headquarters, Nigeria Police, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Lagos State Sports Commission and other relevant agencies in the country on the danger of using illicit and enhanced drugs in sports.
    The Second edition which held at the prestigious Golfview Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos State.
    Chairman of Lagos SWAN, Olatutu Oladunni disclosed that this symposium is coming few weeks to Nigeria’s participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with the aim of sensitizing Team Nigeria athletes and their officials of the inherent disadvantages of spicing up ones system in order to take advantage over other athletes to win laurels.
    “This symposium is coming in line with the commemoration of International Olympic Committee, IOC, World Anti-Doping Agency, International Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and Word Health Organization, WHO, on securing the environment via international diplomacy, security dialogue and advocacy against use of illicit substances and initiating good collaborations with security agencies to help in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
    “We in SWAN Lagos chapter believe that the “one voice” from the institutions in the global community will enhance a safe healthy environment for all and to the sports community in respective domains.
    “That was the reason Lagos SWAN under my leadership launched in September 2023 in partnership with NDLEA, NAFDAC, Lagos State Ministry of Health and Nigerian Breweries with the area of focus in sports Security from global perspective, launched this symposium,” Oladunni said.
    The theme of this year’s edition is Sports Diplomacy/Security and Health.
    The 2024 edition of the campaign serves as a full preparation for Team Nigeria and its contingents at various capacities ahead the 2024 World Olympics scheduled for Paris, France in July.
    The program, which started by 10am, also have an Induction Ceremony for over 27 new members of Lagos SWAN as they were presented to other colleagues.
    Oladunni  who appreciated all the guests speakers which were drawn from the Nigeria Police, NDLEA, Nigeria Armed Forces, Diplomatic and Consulate Missions, Aviation chiefs, sports stakeholders, political office holders and a host of others.
    The event had in attendance dignitaries from the Nigeria Police Force, NDLEA, Lagos Sport Commission, Lagos Ministry of Health, Diplomatic and Consulate Mission, Nigeria Olympics Committee, Team Nigeria, Students from Several Nigeria University and Secondary Schools, Media Stake Holders, Political Office holder to mention a few.
  • PRIMORG flags off drug demand reduction campaign in schools

    PRIMORG flags off drug demand reduction campaign in schools

    The Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development (PRIMORG) will on Friday, January 9, 2024, launch a sensitization campaign against the worsening menace of drug abuse among young people.

    The campaign, which is titled ‘Safe Without Drugs (SWiD) Initiative,’ possesses a wide range of programmes and activities meant to address the multifaceted problems of drug abuse in Nigeria and is billed to take off from Excellent Kiddies Academy, Bwari, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    A statement by PRIMORG’s Executive Director, Augustine Okhiria Agbonsuremi, revealed that the primary goal of the project is to equip young and susceptible persons in schools with the knowledge and skills to run from consumption and abuse of drugs
    The initial targets of SWiD are students in selected FCT Senior Secondary Schools who will be mobilized against illicit drugs and substances in vulnerable circumstances. The advocacy is aimed at discouraging secondary school students from venturing into the use of illicit drugs.

    PRIMORG aims to bridge the gap between the government and the upcoming generation and to shape their minds against the illicit use of drugs.

    The objectives of the SWiD initiative include raising awareness among students, parents and teachers on the effects of illicit drug and substance consumption, discouraging students from falling into pressure on illegal indulgence in drug and abuse and promoting citizens’ awareness against drug abuse through radio conversation.

    PRIMORG is partnering with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), FCT Secondary Education Board, Private secondary schools in the FCT and Civil Society Organisations to achieve the set goal.

    Drug demand reduction advocacy becomes indispensable as a report by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) in Nigeria indicates that 14.4% (14.3 million) of people aged between 15 and 64 years abuse drugs.
    Moreover, in 2021, a prevalence of 20–40% and 20.9% of drug abuse were reported among students and youths, respectively, with cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, heroin, diazepam, codeine, cough syrup and tramadol as some of the commonly abused drugs in Nigeria.
    Agbonsuremi says PRIMORG is prepared to work and collaborate with more organizations and individuals concerned with the challenge of drug abuse and how to curtail it.

  • NUJ urge journalists to sensitise public of dangers of drug in-take

    NUJ urge journalists to sensitise public of dangers of drug in-take

    The Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, Mr Festus Alenkhe, has urged journalists to sensitise the public through their reportage to the dangers of drugs in-take in the society.

    Alenkhe made the appeal, at a one-day capacity-building training for journalists on drug harm reduction, prevention and control in Benin.

    Alenkhe said the training was organised to expose journalists to health related reportage and to be more abreast with drug-related terms while writing.

    The NUJ boss admonished journalists to see the opportunity as a means to refresh their practice and put it into use to better the society and reduce drug victims.

    Alenkhe, who noted that the training was organised by Smile Africa International Youth Development, in collaboration with the Edo State Council, explained that the present administration would continue to train and retrain journalists in the state.

    The resource person, Mr. Anieedi Akapn, said the programme was targeted at educating journalists on the danger of drug in-take and the need to reduce the menace through proper reportage, to change the attitude of drug victims.

    Akpan further advised journalists to be objective and give adequate reportage on drug abuse, to drastically reduce the victims in the society.

    He cautioned drug victims to desist from the menace as it might lead to mental disorder, brain damage, and even death.

    The Executive Director of Smile Africa International Youth Development, Mr Purpose Iserhienrhien,  advised journalists to educate and enlighten children/youths on drugs implications.

    He advised that parents/ guardians should not lie to children or pupils about drugs, adding that it was good to say exactly the effects of drugs without over flogging issues.

    He further said there was need to bring back morals to the society.

    Over 40 journalists, drawn from the 15 chapels of the union, attended the training.

    The theme of the training was: “People first, stop stigma and discrimination.”

  • Senate urges FG to declare “State of Emergency” on drug abuse

    Senate urges FG to declare “State of Emergency” on drug abuse

    The Senate has urged the Federal Government to declare a State of Emergency on illicit drugs and drug abuse in the country.

    This followed adoption of a motion on “Urgent need to address the menace of drug abuse in Nigeria” at plenary on Tuesday by Sen. Babangida Hussain (APC -Jigawa).

    Presenting the motion, Babangida said that Nigeria was faced with rising cases of drug abuse which had reached an unprecedented level.

    He said Nigeria had transformed from a mere transit country in the 1990s, Into a country filled with drug addiction and drug traffickers all over its land space.

    “A population of between 30 million and 35 million spends approximately 15,000 and 30,000 dollars annually on psychotropic drugs and alcoholic beverages in Nigeria, ” he said.

    He said the statistics by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the European Union on drug use in Nigeria, stated that about 14.3 million Nigerians between the ages 15 and 64, were drug users.

    “The report stated that 10.6 million addicts were cannabis users, 4.6 addicts used pharmaceutical opioids and 238,0000 abusers used amphetamines,” he said.

    He said the prevalence of drug abuse per geo political zone in 2017 showed that the North-West accounted for 12 per cent, North-East 13.6 per cent North- Central 10.0 per cent, South-West 22.4 per cent South-South 16.6 per cent and the South-East 13.8 per cent.

    Babaginda said the main drugs abused in Nigeria were mood altering or psycho active drugs, performance-enhancing drugs, dependency drugs and prescription drugs.

    He said the side effects included addiction, trauma, mental illness and often times resultes in ill health, violence and involvement in criminal activities.

    He said that a significant number of deaths from accidents and violent crimes had been traced to the activities of persons under the influence of drugs.

    He expressed worry that the war against drug abuse beibg carried out by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency was not yielding the required result.

    Babaginda said there was need to include special drug education in the schools curriculum.

    He also expressed concern that the prevalence of drug abuse in Nigeria was a public health challenge that seemed to be on the increase in spite of intervention by international, regional, federal and state bodies through laws and policies.

    Contributing, Sen.Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno) said drug abuse was affecting the productivity of youths as it had negative economic effects, while also distorting cultural values.

  • Police flay Nigerian music superstars for glamorising drug use

    Police flay Nigerian music superstars for glamorising drug use

    The Police Command in Lagos State has flayed music superstars in Nigeria over the prevalence of substance abuse, lamenting that the music industry glamorised drug use.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin made this assertion on Thursday, stressing that the practice has made the work of policing more difficult.

    Speaking at the 2023 Press Week Lecture/Symposium, organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in partnership with the News Agency of Nigeria, Lagos Chapel, Hundeyin urged stakeholders, especially the elderly ones, to help in the fight against drug abuse.

    “The music industry is not helping us in any way. They glamorise drugs. Not all that glitters is gold,” the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer said, adding that a lot of the superstars themselves involve drug abuse.

    According to Hundeyin, behind most crimes in society, there is substance abuse or drug addiction among youths. He said the command regularly arrests criminals in the state and 90 per cent of the cases, the criminals blame their actions on drugs.

    “Drugs and their attendant problems are things that manifest in the society. We all know that there is a direct connection between drugs and crimes.

    “For us in the Lagos State Police Command, we have come to realise that the more there is drug use in the society, the higher the crimes rate is.

    “If drugs actually reduce in the society, crimes too will reduce. Ordinarily, people would not go and commit crimes until they use drugs,” he said.

    He told the youths that beyond crimes, drug abuse messes up the future of Nigerian youths and their health.

    According to him, when musicians have health challenges, most times they will not want to go to hospital but rather invite a nurse to treat them at home because they are  using drugs. “Going to the hospital will expose that and they don’t want people to know.”

    On the way forward, the PPRO said that the media and other stakeholders had a strong role to play in portraying the ills and dangers of drugs in the society.

    He lamented that elders who should be custodians of morals had been arrested on several occasions selling illicit drugs.

    According to him, “it is painful when elderly parents come to beg for their children arrested for drugs.

    “Encouraging drugs use will not help anyone. Elderly ones should be our mouth piece. It is bad that elderly people are making this problems worse. We need to expose this.

    “Our borders are quite porous, people bring in things, illicit drugs inclusive. The more we make noise about it the better,” he added.

    Hundeyin, who noted that the right policies and tighter borders could also help in addressing the menace, urged young ones not to experiment with drugs in order not to cut their lives short.

    He urged the students and young Nigerians not to bow or succumb to peer pressure. You should know what is good and what is bad.

    He added: “Always stand right even if it means standing alone, in the long run you will be better for it. Drugs are not helping in our society.

    “It has made the job of policing more difficult, because more and more youths are going into drugs which translates into cultism, murder, rape and many of them end up in prison. Our young one should stay away.

    “Drugs affect crimes, so to help us reduce crimes in the society, we must collectively do all we can to ensure that drug use come down and we should not glamorise it.”

    He said that the only way the youth could fulfill their destinies was to stay clear of drugs.

  • Drug Abuse: Lagos is building biggest mental health rehabilitation home – Sanwo-Olu

    Drug Abuse: Lagos is building biggest mental health rehabilitation home – Sanwo-Olu

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State said that the state government was currently building the biggest mental rehabilitation home in the country.

    Sanwo-Olu made this known while receiving members of the Southern Governors Wives’ Forum (SGWF) on a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Ikeja.

    He said that the rehabilitation home was to comprehensively address the menace of drug abuse and provide the necessary care for victims.

    According to him, Illicit dealing in drugs and substance abuse require serious effort and commitment of all stakeholders to frontally tackle it, in the best interest of society.

    He commended the governors’ wives for their resilience and support in fighting Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and also drug abuse in their states.

    ”I want to thank you all for your efforts, particularly your pet projects to address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). It is something that permeates everywhere and for us in Lagos, we have faced it with all it takes.

    ”We have a law and we have also gone further to establish a full-fledged agency, so that they can respond faster and they have all it takes to run faster and not subsumed or delayed.

    ”We are giving it the importance that it deserves. The agency is doing a good job and we acknowledge that there is room for improvement,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    Still on drug abuse, he said that it was encouraging that the SGWF was focusing on it with advocacy and other initiatives to ensure that it remained in the front burner.

    ”We can see in the papers today where drugs were recovered from a big mansion. A couple of weeks ago, we saw how horrible drugs were uncovered. So, it is something we need to talk about and we should not shy away from it.

    ”It cuts across-drug issues, mental health issues are things we should speak about and deal with.

    ”For us as a government, we are building the biggest mental rehabilitation home in the country as we speak, so that we can deal with this problem with all it takes and people that require help, can be supported.

    ”Also, people that are criminally minded can be dealt with in accordance with the law,” the governor said.

    Earlier, the wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said that members of the SGWF were in Lagos for their Quarterly Meeting.

    Sanwo-Olu said that the forum was a platform uniting all the Wives of the Southern State Governors and was also an avenue for sharing notes on governance and ideas that could trigger economic and social rebirth.

    Also, the President of the SGWF, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola, commended Gov. Sanwo-Olu for the progress made so far on the blue light rail project.

    Oyetola, who is the Wife of Osun State Governor, said Gender-Based Violence had been well addressed in Lagos State, lauding that the governor’s projects and initiatives were in line with the objectives of Governors’ Wives.

    On her part, Chairperson of the Nigerian Governors Wives’ Forum (NGWF), Erelu Bisi Fayemi, commended Gov. Sanwo-Olu for putting what Governors’ Wives always preached into practice.

    Fayemi, who is the wife of Governor of Ekiti State, said that the SGWF had always preached that there could not be a success in achieving any of the Sustainable Development Goals without the full participation of women.

    ”Lagos State has always set the example of what it means to have women in leadership at all levels and so we would like to thank you Mr Governor.

    ”Please, we ask that you continue to encourage other governors in the country to improve opportunities for women and girls in their states, through policies and programmes,” she said.

    However, the governors’ wives met at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, and afterward inspected the ongoing work at the Office of the First Lady of Lagos State and J.K Randle Centre for Yoruba and History, Onikan.

    Speaking on the sideline of the visit, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) ,said the agency was encouraged by the political will demonstrated by the Southern Governors’ Wives Forum.

    Vivour-Adeniyi said that most of the southern states had adopted relevant laws, including the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, and of course, the Child’s Rights Law.

    ”It is just to encourage other states that are yet to do so. They should ensure full implementation, so that there is no state that will be safe, or be deemed a safe haven for perpetrators,” she said.