NHRC demands urgent action against drug abuse among Nigerian youths

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday called for an urgent action against the alarming rate of use of drugs among Nigerian youths.

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The commission made the call in a statement commemorating this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Tony Ojukwu, the executive secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, said in the statement that coordinated efforts are needed to address this concern, noting that “substance abuse, particularly among young people, has reached alarming levels and requires urgent and coordinated action from all stakeholders.”

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said this is “a major threat to public health, security, human dignity, and national development.”

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However, he noted that while the fight against substance abuse is critical, it must be guided by human rights principles, the Constitution, the Mental Health Act 2021, the National Health Act 2022, and UN Drug Control Conventions.

He emphasised empathy in dealing with persons struggling with drug dependence. “They should not be stigmatised, discriminated against, or subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment. Instead, they should have access to quality healthcare, rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and opportunities for reintegration into society,” Mr Ojukwu cautioned.

He noted that drug abuse is a vehicle for human rights violations such as domestic violence, crime, exploitation, human trafficking, and insecurity.

However, Mr Ojukwu said the NHRC is at the forefront of “advocacy for a public health approach to drug use and its implications for harm reduction in Nigeria.”

Since 1987, the international community has designated 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This is “to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.”

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While drug abuse remains a global challenge, it has become a severe menace in Nigeria, affecting over 14.3 million people aged 15 to 64, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Call to action

The NHRC called on the National Assembly to come up with policies on drug use quantification thresholds and those that distinguish between persons who use drugs for medicinal or therapeutic reasons and sellers of drugs to avoid criminalising those seeking treatment.

He also urged government agencies, civil society organisations, families, educational institutions, faith-based organisations, and community leaders to continue raising awareness among youth.

Mr Ojukwu admonished law enforcement agencies to sustain efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking while adhering to human rights standards.