A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Stampout Drug Abuse Initiative, has called on Nigerians to avoid drug abuse to achieve a better society.
Its Executive Director, Oluwafemi Silas, said government should make good policies and create enabling environment in order to support the efforts of stakeholders to reduce drug abuse.
He made this call when the organisation marked its fifth anniversary and unveiling of its new logo held at Ikeja Museum, Ikeja, Lagos.
He said the group was founded on April 25 2018 with the vision to educate, inform and enlighten the youths and the public on the infallible truths about drugs.
He said: “Government should sanitise the drug distribution system in the nation and restrict access to dangerous drugs. Restrict access to over-the-counter drugs that may lead to abuse.
Continue to make public awareness campaigns via print, social and electronic media through relevant government agencies both at the federal, state and local governments levels”.
“Review the drug laws and ensure that everybody (specialists, individuals, cultivators and carriers) involved in drug-related offenses is served with stiff penalties”.
“Establish more rehabilitation centres and employ capable staff to assist people with addiction in rehabilitation centres”.
“Stimulate the economy so as to create employment opportunities, especially for teenagers and youths in the country who are more vulnerable. Provide educational opportunities to the youths so as to make them productive rather than idle.”
Oluwafemi stressed that the organisation also assisted drug addicts secure rehabilitation centre, where they can be treated and recover.
He disclosed that in the last four and a half years, the group has succeeded in achieving some of the visions by organising seminars, campaigns, workshops and trainings in schools, communities, youth organizations, churches, mosques, private and public organisations, among others.
He said: “As we celebrate our fifth year anniversary, we want to draw the attention of the government, families, school authorities, communities, religious bodies and other stakeholders to the increasing number of young people indulging in the abuse and misuse of drugs”.
Oluwafemi said according to a survey on drug use in Nigeria conducted in 2018 by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Centre for Research and Information on Substance Abuse (CRISA), about 14.3 million Nigerians between the ages of 15-64 used psychoactive substance for non-medical purposes.
He said: “Furthermore it was discovered that one in every four drug users in Nigeria is a woman, and 1 in five persons who use hard substances in Nigeria is facing certain drug use disorders”.
He noted that drug or substance abuse refers to the use of certain chemicals for the purpose of creating pleasurable effects on brain.
Olufemi, however, stressed that drug abuse also means a pattern of repeated drug or alcohol use that often interferes with health, work and social relationships.
“The brain is weird to make you want to repeat experiences that make you feel good, so you are motivated to do them again and again. The drugs that may be addictive, target your brain’s reward system. They flood your brain with a chemical called dopamine”.
“This triggers a feeling of intense pleasure so you keep taking the drug to chase the high. We strongly believe that all stakeholders involved in the fight against drug abuse and misuse must come together to tackle this monster by taking pragmatic steps to prevent it.
In view of the above, we believe the following practical steps will go a long way in addressing drug abuse in Nigeria”.
Director, Ikeja Museum, Mr. Dapo Adeniyi, said “drug abuse is in the increase, especially among youths, adding that all hands must be on deck to achieve drug abuse-free society.
He commented the organisers of the event for making out time to care for the drug abusers in the society despite the economic crisis and hardship in the country.
