SCGYI Urges Stakeholders, Govt To Join Hands Together In Fight Against Drug Abuse
By Simeon OSAJIE
The Executive Director, Securing the Creative Goldmine in Youths Initiative, (SCGYI), Mr. Edwin Asibor has urged stakeholders, government and well-meaning Nigerians to join hands together in the fight against drug abuse and other vices.
Asibor 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.
“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 said.
Mr. Asibor opined that a bill is before President Bola Hamed 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.
The gathering had in attendance stakeholders from the security agencies, National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, the Media, Judiciary and social sector.
Present at the stakeholder dialogue were representatives of the Department of citizens Rights, Ministry of Justice, Directorate of Public Persecution, Ministry of Justice, O.C. Legal, Edo State Police Command, Nigeria Correctional Services, Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS), NAPTIP Zonal Commander, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), National Human Right Commission (NHRC), EDSEC Commissioner, Enogie of Iguogie Community, PWUD Community, Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Edo State Council, Chairman and Members, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS), Lecturers from the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Civil Society Officers (CSOs) like Smile Africa International Youth Development, Indomitable Spirit Organisation, among others.
