The Drug Salvation Foundation To Rolls Out Drug Sensitisation Training Programme for Nigeria Police Force Nationwide

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has supported Drug Control in Nigeria by approving training for Police personnel on Response to Drugs and Related Organised Crime in Nigeria Sensitisation Training for the Nigeria Police Force to be carried out in Police Commands across the Six (6) geo-political zones of the country.

The pilot project of the sensitisation training programme, which lasted one year, took place in Lagos State Police Command, paving the way and setting a model that could used when expanding the training nationwide with technical support from UNODC with funding from European Union.

Throwing more light on the training, Wilson Ighodalo, President, The Drug Salvation Foundation and National Coordinator, Response to Drugs and Related Organised Crime said, “Addressing the growing challenges of drugs in the country requires multi-sectorial approach and so Police has a pivotal role on response to drugs in Nigeria”.

“In 2018, The Drug Salvation Foundation undertook an assessment of the general attitudes of the Nigeria Police Force on response to drugs after it has come up in several forum for Police to be trained on response to drugs and related organised crime. The results showed a great misunderstanding of the issues of drug use and needs of a drug user, as well as high degree of discrimination and stigmatization of the drug users and family members. Based on the reports we applied to Lagos State Commissioner of Police and it was approved for comprehensive package for drug sensitisation training and capacity building for Police personnel.”

“The training programme is now to be roll out in Police Commands across the Six Geo-political zones across the country.”

“The training is delivered over 3 days. Within this period knowledge is imparted, using adult learning principles by mixing theoretical, practical, discussion, debates and film screenings to challenge and enhance engagement and interest among Police personnel.”

“In 2019 -2021, seventeen rounds of trainings have been conducted with over 1000 participants representing identified key target senior police officers. Daily and final course evaluations demonstrate the training programme has produced a transformative experience among the majority of police personnel, a better understanding of the issues and feel more empowered to impart evidence based knowledge of drug use issues to the society at large. Barriers were primarily ideological, yet evidence-based information proved compelling and convincing, and provides new hope for drug users and their families. The first phase evaluation from the Police officers confirmed that the sensitisation training sessions were eyes opener to response to drug abuse and trafficking.”