Drug and substance abuse is turning out to top the list of some of the greatest threats young people face worldwide.
The data on substance abuse released by the UNODC in 2018 was scary. The report said there were about 14.3 million drug users in Nigeria, with nearly three million suffering from drug use disorders.
If you think that was scary, wait for its more disturbing 2021 report, which projects that by 2030 the number of people using drugs around the world will rise by 11 per cent and by 40 per cent in Africa alone.
In a recent survey by Netng, some respondents blamed the government, parents and drug users for the high prevalence of drug and substance abuse among young people, while others say celebrities who promote drug use with their art and on their social media platforms should be blamed.
MTN Foundation, one of the leading organisations taking action to help Nigeria fight against substance abuse, said it is not relenting in its advocacy and campaign through its Anti Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP).
As part of the organisation’s commitment to ensuring a drug-free society, the MTN Foundation, partnering with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and United Nations Office on Drugs, hosted a national conference on anti-substance abuse at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja on Monday, June 27, 2022.
The event had in attendance Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, The Chairman, MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi (OFR), NDLEA Chairman, Brig-Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd),
Here’s a list of some of the major points we took away from the conference:
Drug Abuse – A Threat To Security and Productivity
In the words of Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, drug abuse has become a global public health and socio-economic challenge. It places a huge burden on our healthcare system and portends grave consequences for our young people and the productivity of our labour force.
Osinbajo said drug abuse also undermines the security of our communities.
MTN Foundation Is Unrelenting In Its Fight
Chairman of MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, reiterated the foundation’s commitment to active advocacy, which he said is vital in Nigeria’s fight against substance abuse.
“As an organisation, we will continue to support the NDLEA, especially in the area of advocacy. We must continue the talk until such a time when we can say to ourselves. We are making progress,” he said.
‘It’s Everyone’s Fight’
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd.) stated that society is gradually coming to terms with the reality that the fight against substance abuse cannot be left to law enforcement agencies alone, ‘It’s Everyone’s Fight’ just as the theme of the 2022 ASAP campaign.
“At NDLEA, we have a sense of urgency in tackling the health consequences of the abuse of illicit drugs, and society is warming up to the idea that together we can end the drug scourge, and we hope that the momentum will be maintained. We appreciate our major stakeholders for their support. Thank you very much, MTN, for always being with us in the struggle to tackle the drug scourge in Nigeria,” Marwa said.
The Fight Calls For Multi-Dimensional Approach
Osinbajo said stakeholders must maintain a multi-dimensional and holistic approach to tackling drug abuse.
Drug Use Must Be Discouraged Through Intensive Outreach
Osinbajo said discouraging drug use across the country must be through intensive outreach and sensitisation.
He also called for prompt prosecution of traffickers. “Above all, we must intensify rehabilitation of drug addicts because what we are faced with is indeed a public health crisis, a crisis that is taking lives destroying families and shattering communities,” he said.
This is part of what the MTN Foundation has been doing through MTN ASAP.
