By Lucky Isibor
The Edo State chapter of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), has called for Multifaceted approach to the reduction and eradication of drug abuse, noting that the effects of substance abuse is far reaching and complex.
The president of the Edo State chapter of MWAN, Dr. (Mrs) Irene Irenosen Akhideno made the call at the 2024 celebration of the “International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking”, hosted by the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is being held on June 26 every year.
Speaking at this year’s celebration with the theme, “The evidence is clear, invest in prevention”, Dr. Akhideno noted that “The global drug problem presents a multifaceted challenge that touches the lives of millions worldwide. From individuals struggling with substance use disorders, to communities grappling with the consequences of drug trafficking and organized crime.
“The impact of drugs is far-reaching and complex. Central to addressing this challenge is the imperative to adopt a scientific evidence-based approach that prioritizes prevention and treatment”.
In a related development,the Edo House of Assembly on Wednesday, 26 June called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
The Deputy Speaker, Mrs Maria Oligbi-Edeko who who spoke on behalf of the Speaker, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku made the call in Benin during a rally by Smile Africa International youth initiative, said a state of emergency was the only solution to tackling the menace.
Oligbi-Edeko said drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking were the bane of criminality in the state and nation at large adding that drug traffickers were the worst criminals that should not be tolerated in any community and in states that want to make progress.
She explained that drug problem presents multifaceted challenges that touched the lives of millions of people adding that, the impact of drug abuse was far-reaching and complex.
She stated that the problems ranges from an individual struggling with substance use disorders to communities struggling with consequences of drug trafficking and crimes.
“If you have been following the house activities, you would know that the house has passed several resolutions on the need to prevent drug abuse and trafficking.
“Today, we are sad that drugs is destroying communities in the country and everyone is pretending not to see it.
“Drugs are now being sold freely in every nook and cranies in the state. You now find drugs in biscuits, akara others, do they want to turn everyone to drug addict, she asked?
” So we think that to effectively deal with the situation, the federal government should declare state of emergency to fight drugs abuse in Nigeria.
“As a mother, am sad and concerned about the drug abuse pandemic that is about to hit us as a country. we are passionate about the health of our youths”.
Earlier, the Executive Director of Smiles Africa International Youth Development Initiative, Mr Purpose Iserhienrhien, said they were at the assembly to rally support in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the state.
Iserhienrhien said that the International Day afford them the opportunity to call for collective action to combat the scourge of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
“The impact of drugs extend beyond individual users to the entire societies, threatening the health, safety, and prosperity of our population, ” he said.
He called on the state government to invest in prevention programmes to address the challenges posed by drug abuse.