Senate Plans 3-prong Approach Against Drug Abuse

The Senate has developed a three-prong strategy to combat the menace of narcotics in the nation.It warned traffickers that Nigeria would henceforth not be safe for their illicit business.

Speaking in Benin, Edo State capital, during the public destruction of forfeited 73,463.21 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances drug exhibits worth N2.8 billion by the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the chairman, Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Joseph Ikpea, said the exercise was not a mere celebration but a stern “statement that Nigeria will not be a transit point, a warehouse, or a dumping ground for illicit drugs and hard substances that destroy our youth, our families, and our future.”

A breakdown of the destroyed exhibits showed that Cannabis sativa dominated the haul with 73,210.23 kilogrammes, followed by psychotropic substances 246.36 kilogrammes, which included tramadol (141.81kg), diazepam (8.4258kg), and codeine cough syrup (61.7652kg).

Also destroyed were 2.662 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine, 3.7441 kilogrammes of cocaine, and 0.2168 kilogrammes of Heroin.

The senator added that the destruction of the drugs would not win the war against drug abuse, trafficking and all its attendant effects if conscious efforts were not taken to address the fundamental issues promoting the menace.

According to him, “Every kilogram of cocaine, every truckload of cannabis, every bag of tramadol and codeine destroyed today represents lives saved; lives of children who will not become addicts; lives of families who will not be broken and lives of communities that will not descend into crime and violence.”

The senator added that “destruction of drugs alone will not win this war. If we destroy 10 tons today and fail to stop the demand, traffickers will replace it with 20 tons tomorrow.”

To tackle the menace, Ikpea disclosed that “the Senate is committed to a 3-pronged strategy” of: “Supply Reduction” via “stronger laws, better funding for NDLEA, and international cooperation to cut off trafficking routes.

“Demand Reduction, where education comes in. We must introduce early health awareness on drug consequences into our primary and secondary school curriculum. A child who knows that tramadol can destroy his liver at age 16 is a child who will say “no” at age 20.

“Treatment and Rehabilitation”, which recognises “addiction as a disease, not just a crime. We must build more rehab centers and destigmatize treatment so those already trapped can recover and become productive citizens again.”

Ikpea commended the NDLEA, the Nigerian Customs, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Police, the directorate of state Security (DSS), and the Judiciary for the painstaking work that led to the seizures.

“Your work is dangerous, thankless, and often underfunded. Yet you stand in the gap. The Senate sees you, and we will continue to fight for better welfare, equipment, and legal backing for your operations.” The senator reassured.

He reiterated that the approach would move from “destruction to prevention”, warning traffickers and barons that “Nigeria is no longer safe for your business. We will find you, we will seize your assets, and we will destroy your products in the full glare of the public.”

“To our young people, especially students: I beg you today. The “high” you chase lasts two hours. The damage it does to your brain, your kidneys, and your destiny lasts a lifetime. No drug dealer loves you. The only people who truly love you are your parents, your teachers, and this nation that is investing in your future. Do not throw it away for a moment of fake pleasure.” Senator Ikpea pleaded.

Speaking at the destruction ceremony in Benin City, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) described the event as a reaffirmation of the collective resolve to confront, dismantle, and defeat the menace of drug abuse.

Marwa, who was represented by the NDLEA Director of Operations and General Investigation, Suleiman Ahmed Ningi, expressed gratitude to the Edo State Government for support, particularly the allocation of twenty plots of land for the construction of a model State Command Headquarters.

“What we are gathered here to do transcends the physical act of burning contraband. We are, in the most powerful terms, reaffirming our collective and unshakeable resolve to confront, dismantle, and ultimately defeat the menace of drug abuse,” Marwa said.

Speaking as a special guest of honour, Governor Monday Okpebholo described the war against drugs as a battle against criminality.

The governor, who was represented by the Coordinator of Office of the First Lady of Edo State and Chairperson Edo State Drug Control Committee, Mrs Edesili Anani, assured the NDLEA of continued partnership, revealing plans by his administration to provide a modern rehabilitation centre for people recovering from drug use disorders. He issued a stern warning to drug traffickers.

“This is not a moment for celebration alone; it is a moment for sober reflection and a recommitment to the fight. The war on drugs is a war for the soul of our nation. It is a war against criminality, kidnapping and banditry as well as the health hazards that drug abuse brings,” Okpebholo noted.

He said: “Drug traffickers must leave Edo State because we are coming for them and we will not relent until every gram of illicit substance is seized and destroyed.”