By Fatima Zahra Muhammad
ASHENEWS reports that the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has called for the allocation of a budget line to tackle the menace of drug abuse in northern Nigeria.
The group made this known on Sunday during a sensitization lecture on drug abuse and the proliferation of dangerous substances among the youth organized by the Zaria local government students association.
Speaking during the event, the spokesperson of the group, Abdulazeez Suleiman said that the current situation of drug abuse in northern Nigeria requires a deviation from the already established protocols in tackling the menace.
“I should like to call on the Federal Ministry of Health and all other relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to develop policy frameworks and devote part of their budgetary allocations to address the problem of drug and substance abuse in all parts of the country and especially the North,” he said.
The group stated that the lingering drug use challenge in northern Nigeria if left unaddressed could lead Nigeria into another wave of violent unrest.
“the drug situation in the North is one of the most serious social and security challenges facing Nigeria today.
“the drug problem must be confronted collectively with the entire will and resolve of the nation behind the effort.
“apart from the sporadic armed conflicts that occur now and then in different parts of the country, the drug problem is the simmering tinderbox that is awaiting to explode if care is not taken, that would engulf our societies and destroy our families.
The group noted that Nigerian authorities must move away from the traditional means of addressing the challenge which gives priority to penalization of drug users.
“Addressing a complex issue like drug addiction and substance abuse requires a multifaceted approach that takes into account temperamental and attitudinal considerations.
“The sociology of addiction is a phenomenon that requires close and careful study, as well as engagement from the victims’ points of view.
“This multiple and cross-cutting attributes of the problem makes it a grave and complex matter that cannot be addressed by traditional means alone. Law enforcement and juridical actions important as they are, may not suffice in addressing the issue on a long-term basis.” the group said.
On the efforts made by the CNG in addressing drug abuse, Suleiman said that the group, through the Technical Committee on Drug Abuse and Proliferation of Dangerous Substances in Northern Nigeria would soon release a report on its findings on drug abuse in northern Nigeria and the solutions.
