War against Drug abuse hots up as NASS seeks Parents’ Inclusion

The National Assembly Thursday stepped up the war against drug abuse and trafficking by seeking for inclusion of parents in the battle. Call for parents’ inclusion in the war by the National Assembly came from its joint committee on Drugs and Narcotics during one day sensitization programme organised in collaboration with National Association of Nigerian Drugs Monitoring ( NANDRUM). In his speech at the event themed : ” Parents Inclusion in the Fight Against Drug Abuse and Reckless Behaviours “, the President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly , Godswill Akpabio, said involvement of parents in the fight very necessary and critical . Akpabio who was represented by the Deputy Leader of the Senate , Senator Lola Ashiru , said the epidemic of drug abuse and trafficking, should be tackled right from the home fronts led by Parents. ” Getting parents involved in the fight against drug abuse is taking the battle to the basis and tackling the menace right from the home front since those indulging in it, come from different homes before hitting the streets as drug addicts or traffickers . ” The theme of today’s sensitization programme on the dangers of drugs abuse , is very apt and very necessary for effective fight against the menace of drug abuse . “The fight against drugs abuse is indeed , a fight for our posterity requiring parents to be on the front lines being the guiding force in their Children’s lives . ” I urge all parents to take up this mantle of responsibility with unwavering determination sice the greatest gift any parent can give to Children is not riches but the spirit of adventure, the virtue of integrity and the gift of courage . ” Let us equip our children with the required tools they need to navigate life ‘s challenges without falling victim to the perils of drug abuse “, he said . In his remarks , on behalf of Chairmen , Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Drugs and Narcotics , Mallam Isa Garba , said the sensitization programme was collaboratively organized to step up the fight against drug abuse .

Nigeria, India partner to block illicit drug flow

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Narcotics Control Bureau of India have agreed to collaborate to block the traffic of illicit drugs between Nigeria and India. The Director Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, said in a statement that the two agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Wednesday in Abuja. He said the Chairman of NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, who signed the MoU on behalf of the agency, said the move represented a robust partnership in efforts to exterminate incidences of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the two countries. He said, “this bold step taken by the two agencies is an affirmation of our foresight and commitment to the task of ensuring the safety of our citizens and the global community at large.” According to him, the MOU constitutes a fundamental step towards positioning the two countries, India and Nigeria, at the forefront of confronting and dismantling transnational drug trafficking networks. “This is with brazen capabilities of outmaneuvering legitimate drug law enforcement. “With our understanding of the changing dynamics of the illicit drug problems, locally and globally, every major organisation around the world is working assiduously to curb the menace. “They also know that working with partners greatly helps in addressing the trafficking and abuse of narcotic and psychotropic substances,” he said. Marwa said the governments of both countries remained committed to eradicating the problem posed by illicit substances, notably synthetic opioids and Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) which posed a potent threat to our citizens. He acknowledged the courage exhibited by the two agencies in the course of past meetings that culminated in the MoU. The NDLEA boss stressed that the partnership would impact greatly on efforts to prevent illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, precursor chemicals and related matters between the two countries. The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria and Head of the Indian delegation, Ambassador Shri Balasubramanian, signed on behalf of his country. Balasubramanian said the negative impact of drugs on global financial and political systems was enormous, and that proceeds of drug trafficking were often directed towards terrorism financing. The Indian high commissioner observed that drug trafficking did not only affect the health of the individual that consumed it but equally the economy of the country as well as national security. He advised that both countries should take advantage of their similar demographic advantage to address substance use problems. He added that the liberal trade relations and educational advantages enjoyed by both countries had been negatively applied to further criminal drug trade. “I urge that all hands must be on deck to ensure that merchants of death do not succeed in their evil trade,” he said. Balasubramanian pledged the commitment of the Indian government to ensure the enforcement of the provisions of the MoU.