A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Young Entrepreneurs and Innovators Foundation (YEI Foundation) has called on the federal government to adopt preventive policies to curb drug addiction in Nigeria.
The president of YEI Foundation, Eshioramhe Ofeoshi, made the call yesterday in Abuja during the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The theme of the event was “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.”
He emphasised that World Drugs Day is observed every year to create awareness about the detrimental effects of drug abuse and promote global efforts to combat illicit drugs, substances, and trafficking.
Ofeoshi added that this year’s theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” calls on communities and the federal government to adopt an evidence-based approach to prevention, enlightening the public on the significance of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) guidelines, and raising awareness about the importance of treating people who use drugs with respect and empathy by providing evidence-based, voluntary services for all.
He also suggested alternative punishments, prioritizing prevention, and leading with compassion.
On her part, a Nigerian professor of French and African Literature at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Mabel Ifeoma Onyemelukwe, said, “All young people who are into drugs should not be neglected to avoid worsening the situation of drug addiction. They should be cared for and rehabilitated where necessary.”
