Health experts have urged the Federal Government to adopt a health-centred approach to address the escalating drug abuse crisis in Nigeria.
The call was made during a one-day media sensitization program, “Public Health Approach to Drug Control Response in Nigeria,” organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in partnership with Youth Rise, a non-governmental organization.
Experts expressed alarm at the epidemic level of drug dependency, stressing that current policies, which emphasize punitive measures, are failing to address the root causes of addiction.
They highlighted the urgent need to treat drug users as individuals needing care rather than as criminals.
Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, emphasized that a healthcare-driven strategy would be more effective in addressing the crisis. He pointed out that current supply-focused tactics restrict access to vital treatment and prevention services, worsening public health risks such as HIV, tuberculosis, and hepatitis among drug users.
“To combat this crisis, we need an integrated, multidisciplinary approach that combines health, legal, and social frameworks,” Dr. Anyaike said, urging Nigeria to align its drug control policies with international standards like those of the World Health Organization and the African Union.
A consultant with YouthRise Nigeria, Nonso Maduka echoed these calls, advocating for new legislation that prioritizes health over punishment.
He argued that a public health-focused framework would support individuals, families, and communities more effectively by shifting from punitive actions to health-centred interventions.
“Viewing drug use through a public health lens would not only help curb dependency but also reduce the spread of communicable diseases like HIV and hepatitis,” Maduka stated.
He emphasized the importance of empowering local health initiatives and giving states the authority to implement targeted drug treatment and rehabilitation programs.
Experts concluded that Nigeria’s current drug control framework is unbalanced, focusing predominantly on supply reduction.
They called for an evidence-based approach that includes drug demand reduction, harm reduction, and increased access to treatment to foster a healthier future for Nigerian citizens.
