Mental health professionals have called for more efforts against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria, ahead of the 2023 general election.
They made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to commemorate the World Drug Day on Sunday in Lagos.
They said that stakeholders should collectively address the increasing rate of drug abuse and its corresponding devastating effects.
NAN reports that the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, otherwise known as the World Drug Day, is marked annually on June 26.
The day is aimed to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving the goal of a world free of drug abuse.
A psychiatrist, Dr Veronica Nyamali, said that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other law enforcement authorities should continually enforce their mandates and responsibilities against drug abuse.
Nyamali, who is also the Vice-president, Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria (APN), said that NDLEA should focus more on prevention of drug abuse, considering its numerous devastating negative effects.
She said that a strong synergy and interaction between the NDLEA and the mental professionals was required to check drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
She said that a communication gap existed between the NDLEA and the mental health professionals, stressing that they ought to be on the same page on issues relating to prevention and health implications of drug abuse.
She said, “Our justice system as well as the NDLEA operating system need to be overhauled for optimal performance.
“Indeed, perpetrators must be punished according to the law of the land. This is the only way it will serve as a deterrent to others with similar horrible intentions.”
The psychiatrist said that family was the pillar of society where people should learn morals, values and behaviours that could transform their lives to be responsible citizens.
According to her, the moral upbringing of children is a primary responsibility of every parent.
“We should be more watchful particularly now that the 2023 general election is drawing closer.
“Electoral violence, snatching of ballot boxes, killing, kidnapping and lots of other social vices are being executed under the influence of drugs.
“This is why it’s pertinent for the parents and the society as a whole to shield the youths away from getting involved with drugs.
“As a parent, always monitor your children and keep a close watch on their activities because the young ones (youths) often used to perpetrate the acts are offspring of a parent,” Nyamali said
Also, a consultant psychiatrist, Prof. Taiwo Sheikh, called for more security, monitoring and tightening of the country’s borders where some of these drugs were being exported and imported into the country.
Sheikh, the immediate past president of APN, said that terminating the production and sources of the drugs were key in efforts to prevent drug abuse.
According to him, if there is no supply of the drugs, there will be no demand for them.
He said that government should continue to drive policies that would discourage people from getting involved in illicit
drug use and trafficking.
“The laws regarding drug abuse in the country should be reviewed, so as to have offenders duly punished. It will serve as deterrent to others.
“All the enforcement agencies including the government should collaborate in efforts to curb drug abuse/trafficking because it requires multi-dimensional approach” Sheikh said.
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