Stakeholders Advocate Reduction of Drugs Amongst Youths

Stakeholders Advocate Reduction of Drugs Amongst Youths

By Flomedia Reporter

The Executive Director, Securing the Creative Goldmine in Youths Initiative, Mr. Edwin Asibor has called on stakeholders, Government and well meaning Nigerians to join hands together in the fight against drug abuse and other vices.

He stated this at the occasion of The Project GLAP Stakeholders’ Dialogue held in Benin City, Edo State.

Mr. Asibor said the essence of the sensitisation was to draw the attention of the people, especially the youths to the dangers of drug abuse and how it would ruin their future dreams.

According to Mr. Asibor: “We in the development sector have been raising our voices on the increasing rate of abuse of substance and drugs among young people particularly in Edo State, which have assumed a very dangerous level. The negative impact or drug abuse and drug related crimes cannot be overemphasized. To curb this menace therefore, requires a holistic approach”.

“While implementing our various evidence based interventions to mitigate the negative impact of this ugly phenomenon, we were greeted with the sad news of the hurried passage of the NDLEA Act Amendment Bill by the 11th National Assembly.” He added.

Mr. Asibor explained that a bill is before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his assent to become a law, stressing that in their own estimation, this would further increase the punishment of people who use drugs as well sniff out the lives of drugs traffickers.

He said the dialogue therefore was expected to further increase awareness on the theme with a view to coming up with resolutions on the way forward, especially as it affects the stereotyping and criminalization of people who use drugs in the state in a bid to give them opportunity to contribute meaningfully to societal development.

The keynote speaker of the event, Professor Earnest Ugiagbe condemned the NDLEA Act which stipulates death penalty for drugs peddlers, traffickers and abusers, stressing that life was precious hence, the need for rehabilitation and reintegration of victims back to the society.

He also advocated for sensitisation and awareness of the side effect of drug abuse and the need to reduce the use of drugs in the society.

Prof. Ugiagbe said government should strengthen laws and strict implementation of the laws to punish offenders but exclude death penalty from the punishments of offenders.

Stakeholders present were, Min of Justice, Department of citizens Rights, Directorate of Public persecution, Nigeria- correctional services, Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS), NAPTIP zonal commander and staff, NSCDC, EDSEC Commisioner, Enogie of Iguogie community , PWUD Community, NUJ, NBA chairman and members, Partners, CSOs, Smile Africa international youth development, Indomitable spirit organisation, Greater Returnees Foundation, Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PASS), UNIBEN Lecturers amongst others.