Drug Abuse: Arewa Youth Suggest Ways To Curb Menace
BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – Irked by increase in drug abuse and the prevalence of illicit drugs’ trafficking and related crime in the north, the Federal Government has been urged to quickly implement recommendations made by the Presidential Advisory Committee on eradication of drug abuse.
The Drug-Free Arewa Movement (DFAM), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) stated this in a communique issued by its Convener, Ibrahim Yusuf Gombe, after a two day meeting in Kaduna on ‘Anti-Drug Abuse Youth Leadership Submit’.
Participants also called on governments of the 19 northern states to strictly adhere to the principle of full cooperation with one another in their efforts to control the production and distribution of illicit drugs within their domains.
The meeting noted; “That any blankness or leniency in rules, which might encourage the profit making process of drug trafficking, should be considered as counter-productive and be strictly avoided.
“Enforce strict and regular raid on people that hawk/sell prescription drugs to non-eligible buyers and also strict monitoring on those who sell illicit drugs to minors.
“Enact a more stringent law against dealers, smugglers and major distributors. Add drug sensitization (drug abuse prevention class) to school curriculum.
“Government should provide functional rehabilitation centers and also device a well planned reintegration technique for repentant and rehabilitated addicts (sanitizing the public on the effects of privatization and also creating a method to engage rehabilitated addicts to prevent relapse).”
Similarly, the communique urged governments at all levels to “Enact laws that will interdict drug smuggling thoroughly within the region as well as promote national and international cooperation.”
The meeting also agreed that the government of the 19 northern states should establish Drug War Trust Fund and suggested that NDLEA through the support of state governments and the various stakeholders from the region should intensify massive crack down on illicit drugs supply chains into the north and nip it at the bud.
It further said; “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission should step up community relations and community information sharing to enable the agency seize properties acquired with illicit drugs trafficking proceeds.”