President Bola Tinubu has called for the dismantling of all forms of social and structural barriers that fend off drug abuse victims from accessing care and support.
The president made the plea yesterday during the annual celebration of the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at the State House, Abuja,
The president who endorsed the theme of the celebration ‘People first: Stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention,’ was represented by the secretary to the government of the federation, Mr. George Akume,
“We could not agree less with the importance of this theme now that the most vulnerable population, especially women, young people, people living in marginalised environments, high-risk drug users, people displaced by armed conflicts or natural disasters and people in rural settings, are exposed to stigma, discrimination and exclusion from mainstream opportunities.
“These groups often face barriers in accessing the healthcare and social services within the society in addressing their drug use problems. Therefore, interventions to address drug use and its associated consequences need to be mindful of the fundamental rights of every individual.
“Stigma both social and structural, which continues to affect people, who use drugs and implicated as one of the most common barriers to access support and services must be removed,” he said.
The president said the theme stresses the need to prioritise the wellbeing and dignity of individuals affected by drug abuse, recognising their inherent worth and the importance of providing them with effective prevention and treatment interventions.
The maintained that educating the citizenry on the dangers of drug abuse and the need to stop stigma and discrimination is crucial, calling for support for those affected.
“We must empower our youth with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about their lives, and provide victims to drug abuse with the resources they need to avoid falling victims of drug abuse.
“We must also support those who are struggling with drug addiction, and provide them with treatment and necessary support they need to overcome their addiction.
“In the face of these challenges, it is imperative that we adopt a people-centered approach that focuses on prevention and treatment as key pillars of our response,” he added.
Also speaking, the chairman and chief executive officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), called for collaboration in the fight against illicit drug trade and consumption.
Instead of stigmatisation, Marwa said persons caught in the web of drug addiction deserve sympathy and support.
Explaining the theme of the celebration, he said the focus on ‘people first’ was based on the recognition that “individuals struggling with drug abuse are not defined solely by their addiction.”
“They are human beings with inherent dignity, deserving of understanding, empathy and support. Hence, we must work to break down the barriers that prevent people from seeking help and foster an environment where they feel safe, respected, and encouraged to access the necessary treatments and interventions,” he said.
He noted that a key part of the task is “addressing stigma and discrimination in attitudes and practices that create additional hurdles for those seeking assistance.”
He added: “Our prejudices hinder their access to healthcare, employment, and social support systems.
“By raising awareness, educating communities, and promoting acceptance, we can challenge these harmful stereotypes and foster a society that embraces individuals on their path to recovery.”
He also used the occasion to reel out the successes recorded by the agency over time.
Marwa said the NDLEA had intensified operations, expanded intelligence networks and collaborated with local and international partners to dismantle drug cartels, seize illicit drugs and bring perpetrators to justice.
He added that in the past 29 months, the agency brought 31,675 drug offenders to book, among who were 35 barons. According to him, 5,147 persons had been jailed while over 6, 252 tons of illicit drugs were confiscated.
Besides, he said some of the prosecuted offenders forfeited their ill-gotten wealth to the government.
