Former Senate President of the 8th Assembly, Bukola Saraki, has advised the Federal Government to tackle the menace of drug abuse from the root.
Giving the Advise on his Twitter handle on Monday, in commemoration of the w drug Day, which is celebrated around the world every June 26, the former Senate President stated that it is all institutions of government must treat issues with immediate attention, noting that it is beyond law enforcement.
According to him, the root, which is the supply system, through which drugs pass through the border has to be tackled while the government also rise to its responsibility of rehabilitating the victims of drug abuse, supporting them with preventive education, as well as reintegrating them into society.
Reflecting on a Roundtable on Drug Abuse, convened in Kano State, during the 8th Senate, Saraki urged the current administration to build on a comprehensive report of the summit, which outlined the necessary steps to combat drug abuse, noting that government is a continuum.
“With the rising cases of drug abuse and addiction across the nation, it is important that across the board, all institutions of government treat this issue with the immediate attention that is required.
“As I look back, reflecting on the Roundtable on Drug Abuse that we convened in Kano during the 8th Senate, we must look into the roles and responsibilities of various agencies in the fight against drug abuse, emphasizing the urgent need for adequate funding and proper fund utilization.
“We also need to look into providing help for victims of drug abuse, which goes beyond law enforcement. We must examine incorporating preventive education, rehabilitation, and social reintegration.
“In this pursuit, it is crucial to not just focus on the victims of drug abuse but to tackle the issue at its root —the supply system.
“This necessitates a firm stand against the supply chain that allows hard drugs to penetrate our borders, a step that is equally as important as supporting victims and strengthening preventive education.
“It is evident that there is still work left undone. While we have made significant strides in acknowledging the problem and putting measures in place, the ultimate goal should be eradication, not just a reduction of drug abuse.
“The 8th Senate laid the groundwork with a comprehensive report outlining the necessary steps to combat drug abuse, as the government is a continuum, the current administration must see it as a challenge to build on the foundations laid, to ensure that the menace of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Nigeria is comprehensively addressed,” Saraki wrote.
