Declare state of emergency on drug abuse, governors’ wives tell FG

The Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF) has called on the federal government to declare a state of emergency on substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

The governors’ wives made the call in a communique issued in Abuja on Tuesday by Olufolake Abdulrasaq, wife of Kwara governor and chairperson of the forum.

The communique was issued at the end of a two-day drug prevention treatment and care (DPTC) training organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) for wives of state governors in Abuja.

The governors’ wives said there is an urgent need to reinvigorate the state drug control committees (SDCC) for optimal functioning.

The forum said it is important to encourage states that do not have a committee to constitute one, to increase rehabilitation programmes that focus on addressing both the physical and mental health of drug addiction as well as harm reduction.

“Other resolutions in the communique include the need to foster good parenting through parents teachers associations, community outreach programmes and to support the NDLEA Drug Integrity Testing Policy,” the communique reads.

“This is for early detection of drug users and timely intervention to prevent the progression to addiction/dependency.”

The forum agreed to work as a body and facilitator towards strengthening collaboration between state governments, NDLEA and other security agencies in the fight against drug use and trafficking.

The governors’ wives also agreed to “adopt projects and policies that foster cooperation with private sector and civil society organisations in the development of standardised treatment centres across the States of the Federation”.

“Fosters active collaboration with, and providing support to, NDLEA Commands in States with a view to embedding DPTC in all their anti-drug intervention programmes,” the communique added.

“Also, the need to create skill acquisition centres and employment opportunities for young people to reduce being lured into drug use and trafficking.”