By Ibironke Ariyo
The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, has called for a coordinated national response to tackle illicit drug use and trafficking, saying no single institution can effectively address the growing challenge in isolation.
Marwa made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at the National Drug Summit jointly organised by the NDLEA, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Marwa emphasised that the growing burden of drug use and substance use disorders could not be addressed by any single institution acting alone.
Marwa described the summit as a national platform for reflection, dialogue and collective action on the increasing burden of drug use and substance use disorders in the country.
He said the summit followed a week-long World Drug Day programme aimed at raising awareness, deepening understanding and renewing stakeholders’ commitment to addressing the country’s evolving drug situation.
“The intensity of these engagements testifies to our shared commitment to confronting Nigeria’s evolving drug situation through coordinated, evidence-based and innovative action.
“Although the NDLEA had recorded notable achievements in both drug supply and demand reduction, the complexity of the drug problem required a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach,” he said.
The NDLEA boss said that government institutions, communities, families, development partners, the private sector, religious and traditional leaders, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the media all have critical roles to play in addressing the menace.
He said the summit was timely as it aligned with global efforts to confront persistent drug challenges through innovative and collaborative strategies.
The NDLEA boss said the gathering also provided stakeholders with an opportunity to build consensus around a coordinated National Action Plan.
This, he said, was aimed at strengthening prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, data collection, policy implementation and community resilience.
Highlighting the agency’s operational achievements, Marwa said the NDLEA arrested 29,262 suspects and seized 5,305,484.88 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs valued at more than N1.5 trillion within the last 18 months.
The NDLEA chairman added that the operations also resulted in the conviction of 5,225 drug offenders and the dismantling of several drug trafficking networks across the country.
Marwa said the agency had equally intensified efforts at reducing drug demand through its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.
He said the initiative had sustained nationwide awareness programmes in schools, communities, worship centres, workplaces, markets, motor parks and correctional facilities.
“The agency conducted 6,645 sensitisation and awareness programmes within the last 18 months, equipping nearly five million Nigerians with life skills to resist drug abuse.
“13,508 drug users received counselling, treatment and rehabilitation through the agency’s 31 rehabilitation centres nationwide during the same period”, he said.
Marwa also highlighted the launch of the Alternative Development Initiative for cannabis sativa growers.
He described it as a strategic intervention to support their transition from illicit cultivation to legitimate cash crop production and other sustainable means of livelihood.
He expressed confidence that stronger partnerships, shared responsibility and sustained commitment by all stakeholders would significantly reduce the burden of drug use and contribute to building a healthier, safer and more prosperous Nigeria.
In his remark, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, urged that the summit must not end as a talk shop.
Pate said that the measure of the summit would not be the communique.
“It will be the number of young people who choose not to start drugs. It will be the number of patients who sleep without pain. It will be the number of families restored.
“The Federal Ministry of Health stands ready to lead, to coordinate, to collaborate and to deliver,” he emphasised.
Also speaking, the UNODC Country representative, Mr Cheikh Toure, commended the strong collaboration across ministries, agencies, civil society, the private sector, and development partners,
Toure, represented by Dr Akanidomo Ibanga, added that the gathering was a powerful demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to addressing the drug challenge in a coordinated and forward-looking manner.
According to him, as the United Nations, we stand here today not as individual agencies, but as one system, united in our support to Nigeria.
“The UN family is working collectively to support a comprehensive, balanced, and evidence-based response.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the summit is “Addressing Illicit Drug Use and Trafficking: A Call to National Action”.
The summit brought together government officials, development partners and other stakeholders to deliberate on sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s drug problem.(NAN) (http://www.nannews.ng)