Tinubu seeks removal of drug abuse stigma to ensure care and support for victims
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
President Bola Tinubu has canvassed for the removal of stigma on drug abuse victims to enable them access care, support, rehabilitation, and full integration into society.
His advocacy in Abuja coincides with the call from MTN Foundation Chairman Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi that drug abuse be tackled as a national emergency.
Tinubu endorsed the theme of this year’s celebration of the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which is “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.”
He said the theme stressed the imperative to prioritise the well-being and dignity of individuals affected by drug abuse, recognise their worth and the importance of providing them with effective prevention and treatment interventions.
His words: “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, is implicated as one of the most common barriers to access support and services must be removed.”
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Empowering youths to make informed decisions
Tinubu stressed educating citizens on the dangers of drug abuse and the need to stop stigma and discrimination are crucial, calling for support for those affected, via reporting by Vanguard.
“We must empower our youths 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.
“We will tackle the drug menace and its associated consequences in all forms.”
Tinubu urged governments, international organisations, and civil society stakeholders to take urgent actions to protect society by tackling illicit supply and abuse of drugs, to help raise consciousness of the threats drugs pose to society.
House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas stressed the need for empathy for drug use victims, saying addiction is not a death sentence.
Abbas, represented by his Deputy, Benjamin Kalu, expressed the readiness of the National Assembly (NASS) to support all government policies that create gainful engagements of Nigerians, especially the youth prone to drug abuse.
He said the treatment of drug abusers and their families with empathy, respect, and dignity should be embedded in the strategy for the drug fight.
“Drug addiction on its own is not a death sentence. Therefore, members of society who are battling drug addiction deserve our support and encouragement to enable them to overcome the addiction,” he stressed.
A clear and present danger
Adelusi-Adelujyi, represented by MTN Director Dennis Okoro, described the scourge of substance abuse as “a clear and present danger, more so as the statistics indicate that a staggering number of people are caught in its snare.
“We must tackle this as a situation of national emergency; deploying the use of policy and partnerships as a strategy to contain this scourge.
“Distinguished guests, as a matter of urgency, we must scale up this fight against illicit drug use so we can, in the shortest possible time, have a nation free from drug abuse. The event ends today, but the conversation must continue.
“Moreover, why we brought some of these organisations in is to reduce the stigmatisation of youths caught up with drugs. We should stop making them criminals ab initio. And for me, they are not.
“When you get them and then treat them like the youth and send them to a correctional centre or prison, they feel further rejected and then anybody within that environment can corrupt them more, and they become never cured.
“So the message is that these are youths, they are children. Treat them like your own children. Give them a human face. See them as children who have had tension and emotional disturbance from bad homes or neglect and rehabilitate them with love.”
MTN Foundation Director Reginald Okeya explained that “our interest rose when we started seeing images and videos.
“When we started noticing the rate at which mental cases were beginning to come up in society and most of the cases are attributed to the use of drugs.”
