Posted on: Thu 27-06-2019

Today 26th June is an occasion to educate the public on drug abuse and illicit trafficking, mobilize resources to address global problem and to celebrate and reinforce achievement of humanity.

Former UN Secretary General, Late Kofi Annan says "Drugs are tearing apart our societies, spawning crime, spreading diseases such as AIDS, and killing our youth and our future".This is the real picture of what is happening in our society today, especially in a developing nation.

Globalisation of the pharmaceutical products and access to a global martketplace through an increase in internet connectivity has allowed illicit trafficking and access to drug. In this part of the world (Nigeria), the sale of drugs is done openly at markets, through unregulated health centres, medicine stores, and in illegal street market.

Through the advancement in science and medicine, there's increase discoveries of several drugs to save the world from the global diseases like cancers etcetera, to ensure people live a healthy life and peaceful death. The world we created today from illicit use drugs have created mountain of problems that we cannot solve within few years to come. Nigeria is facing many problems, drug abuse has been one of the serious threat to Nigerians health. Nigeria, a multiethnic, multi religious, and one of the most diverse society in the world suffers from illicit use of drug by citizens, both the poors and the riches, which has increase the level of crimes. The incidence of Boko Haram which has become a threat to peace in Nigeria and West African countries at large. This means that, the nation, indivduals and families also pay the price that result from drug abuse. The incidence of HIVAIDS  is a global concerns and increase spreading of these diseases was as a result of risky injection practices and poor sexual behaviours among the drug users.

The future of any nation depends on its youths. Nigeria youths are clamouring for their inclusion in politics and the slogan of not-too-young-to-rule. How do we have a better and secure future where the youths live on drugs and see no harm in abusing drugs. Seeing a promising youth in mental health institutions with case of drug and drug related cases is very saddening.

The 2018 report on Drug Use Survey in Nigeria conducted by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and the Centre for Research and Information on Substance Abuse (CRISA) with support from United Nation Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) shows that; drug use was most common among those who were between the age of 25 and 39 years. The report also shows that 10.6 million people use cannabis, 4.6 million use opioids, 2.4 million use cough syrup, 481 thousand use tranquilizers and sedatives, 340 thousand use ecstasy, 300 thousand use solvent and inhalants, 238 thousand use amphetamine and proscription stimulants and lastly 92 thousand use cocaine. Also, highest prevalence was found in the southern geopolitical zones and lowest being the northern geopolitical zones ( with 13.8-22.4% and10-14.9% of the population respectively).

Nigeria government needs to think ahead, stand firm and face this problem of drug abuse menace that is eating up our society, by putting good policy in place. The renowned genius and philosopher, Albert Einstein says "the problems that exist in the world today cannot be solved by the level of thinking that created them". There's need to think outside the box. Though, drugs have destroyed many lives, but wrong government policies can cause more havoc. Its high time we see those who abuse drugs as a patient who needs treatment rather than seeing them as criminal. There's need for creation of programs, institutions, and rehabilitation centers to see to this kind of problem.

Adequate regulation of productions and importation of pharmaceuticals. Regulation of vendors and buyers of pharmaceutical products shouldn't be handle with levity hands. Patent medicine stores, drug hawking on the streets has been one of the commonest thing we found in our communities. It undermine government efforts in curbing illicit trafficking and drug abuse, and pose threats to public health.

I call on relevant stakeholders, including law enforcement agency, judicial and healthcare professionals, civil society, academia, as well as the private sector to support the course in fighting drug abuse and illicit trafficking at all tiers of government. "More than ever before in human history, we share a common destiny. We can master it only if we face it together. And that, my friends, is why we have the United Nations." (Kofi Annan).

Amanullahi Ismail Nasir writes from UDU, Sokoto: [email protected]

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