Senate calls on President Tinubu to declare state of emergency on drug abuse

The Senate, convened in Abuja on Tuesday, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on drug abuse within Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the nation’s future.

In addition, the Senate has mandated its Committee on Drugs and Narcotics to collaborate with relevant government agencies, such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to organize a national dialogue on the issue of drug abuse. These actions are crucial to facilitate an in-depth understanding of the root causes of this crisis and to develop policies and legislation that can effectively combat the menace.

These resolutions were reached following a motion presented under the title “Urgent Need to Address the Menace of Drug Abuse in Nigeria,” which was sponsored by Senator Babangida Hussaini (APC – Jigawa North-West).

Senator Hussaini highlighted the growing concern of drug abuse in Nigeria, which has reached unprecedented levels. He noted that the country has transitioned from being a transit route for drugs in the 1990s to now harboring drug abusers and traffickers throughout its territory. He pointed out that a significant portion of the population, estimated at 30 to 35 million people, spends substantial sums on psychotropic drugs and alcoholic beverages each year.

Quoting a report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes and the European Union, Senator Hussaini revealed that about 14.3 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 are drug abusers. The report highlighted various categories of drug users, including cannabis users, pharmaceutical opioids users, and amphetamine users.

Furthermore, Senator Hussaini explained the regional disparities in drug use, illustrating the prevalence of drug abuse in different geo-political zones. He underscored that drug abuse has led to numerous deaths resulting from accidents and violent crimes, including the consumption of dangerous substances such as ‘Kurkura’ in the North and ‘Umkpromiri’ in the South.

Despite numerous interventions by international, regional, federal, and state entities through laws, policies, and technical support, the prevalence of drug abuse in the country continues to rise. Senator Hussaini emphasized the urgency of incorporating drug education as a mandatory subject in basic education and stressed that failure to address drug abuse would have serious consequences for national development, public safety, and the family structure in Nigeria.