Drugs Day: CRAN Raises Alarm Over High Increase In Drug Abuse In Nigeria

P.M.EXPRESS reports that it was the submission of the President of Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN), Mr. Lekan Onabule, on the United Nations International World Drug Day, marked by  the association in Lagos State.

The theme of this year’s event as declared by United Nations was, “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention”.

The event was well attended by critical stakeholders including the Nigeria Police, NDLEA, NAPTIP including non-governmental organizations like ISSUP,  students and teachers from various schools in Lagos among others.

The President of the CRAN, Mr. Onabule, explained that the theme of this year’s event, not only emphasized the need to  fight the menace of drug abuse in our society but also recognized the need to help those who have already missed their way by indulging in drug abuse by not stigmatizing them.

He noted that it was worrisome that students in secondary schools and even primary schools have become the targets of unscrupulous drug peddlers, who take these drugs to their schools.

“Names of prohibited substances like colorado, codeine, Indian hemp, skunk, tramadol, rophynol, strong, loud and other dangerous drugs have found their way into our schools and portend great danger to the future of our nation.”

Onabule stated that the noticeable abuse of drugs among our youths now is the excessive use of overdose of cough syrup, especially those that contain codeine and the consequences are increase in banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, and others forms of crime as well as unprecedented rise in broken homes and mental disorderliness.

He advised that there is strong need for the government, relevant agencies and stakeholders like parents, teachers,  religious leaders etc., to dedicate more time, energy and resources to the advocacy and enlightenment on drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

One of the key speakers at the event was the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who warned Secondary school students to avoid the use of hard drug, as it attracts a 15-year jail term upon conviction by the Court.

“The legal consequences of drug abuse in Nigeria according to National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency Act provides punishment or a sentence of 15 years but not exceeding 25 years while trafficking drugs is punishable by life imprisonment.”

“When a minor or teenager commits a grievous offences, he or she will be considered a juvenile offender, which are those who commit or are apprehended to have committed any act that would be a crime if they were not underage and they can be jailed in the juvenile prison.”

SP Hundeyin, as represented by ASP Omoyayi Zaina Atinuke, pointed out that it has permeated the society, affecting individuals of all ages, backgrounds and socio-economic status and it is a pervasive problem that has far-reaching consequences, extending beyond the individual to impact families, communities, and the security of the nation as a whole.

He warned the students to say no to drug abuse because it will ruin their future and by extension the society at large.