#TrackNigeria The National Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) on Saturday called on governments at all levels to check drug trafficking and drug abuse in the country.
Head of Department, NCFRMI, Mrs Shizzer Bada, made the call at a campaign against drug abuse organised for IDPs in Durumi, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The campaign was to mark the international day against drug abuse and drug trafficking slated for June 26.
Bada said that the need for drug policies and sensitisation was necessary to let users know the danger of drug abuse.
She said that the menace of drug in Nigeria today was alarmingly high, adding that the need to fight against itcalled for concerted efforts.
Bada said that constant abuse and illicit trafficking of drugs was evil to the society.
“Illicit drug abuse and trafficking continue to have a profound negative impact on development and stability across the country, especially among youths and teenagers.
According to a report of the National Drug Survey Use released in Abuja in January, the number of drug users outside prescription in Nigeria is about 14.3 million people.
“This number is higher than the entire population of some European countries. Research further shows that those involved in drug use are mainly between 15 and 64 years of age and one in every four of them is a woman.
“The menace of drug abuse is enormous on health, socio-economic, family lives, loss in productivity at school, work place, legal problems and security of our nation,” she noted.
Bada reiterated commitment in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking and promised that NCFRMI would continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to fight the menace of drug use and illicit drug trafficking.
“We have established a number of cases of bullying, intimidation, even sexual advances and untimely death involving more than a dozen IDPs who regularly abuse drugs.
“For instance, the women leader of this camp lost her son recently as a result of drug abuse, “she added.
The official said t community leaders, families, schools, civil society and religious organizations had enormous role to play to get communities rid of drug abuse.
She, however, stated that while efforts to reduce drug dependence in IDPs camps were gathering momentum, more efforts should be geared towards shutting down all actions on smuggling and the sale of drugs in the camps.
“Community without drugs is a community living peacefully. Let us work together to develop our lives and our communities without drugs, “she urged.
Earlier, the Chairman, NDLEA, retired Col. Muhammad Abdallah, said that the agency was ready to rehabilitate and help those IDPs who engaged in drug abuse and drug trafficking.
Abdallah, who was represented by Assistant Controller General Narcotics, Mr Baba Hussieni, called on the commissioner in charge of IDPs for more collaboration to curb drug abuse and drug trafficking.
The Secretary, IDPs Camp, Durumi, Mr Bala Yusuf, appreciated the agency for the sensitisation programme to help the IDPs know the adverse effects of taking illegal drugs and trafficking.
The NDLEA management donated some food items, including bags of ric ,and vegetable oil to the IDPs. (NAN)
