"Better Knowledge For Better Care"
The united nations general assembly in 1987 decided to observe 26th June as the international day against drug abuse and trafficking of illicit substances as an expression of its concern and determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve an international society free from drug abuse.
The united nations office on drugs and crimes (UNODC) selects themes for international day and launches campaign to raise awareness about the global drug problem.
Like every year, the theme for this year's World Drug Day 2020 is "Better Knowledge For Better Care" This year's theme focuses on the importance of providing factual information on the negative socio economic effects of drug abuse and the need to shun any form of misinformation so as to mitigate the risk of more people indulging into drug abuse due to lack of factual information on the dangers of drug abuse.
Drug abuse in Nigeria has continue to be a problem of concern as the country still maintained a high drug abuse prevalence rate of 14.3% against the global prevalence rate of 5.6% according to the UNODC (2018) report on drug use in Nigeria.
International day like this is a moment of reflection on the war against drug abuse for countries around the globe, it should also be a moment of reflection for our country Nigeria to judiciously ascertain its strengths and weaknesses in the crusade, so as to assess the level of success it has recorded in the war against drug abuse in the country with the view to identify key challenges bedevilling the war and proffer lasting solutions to deal with those challenges.
For nigeria to succeed in this fight, a synergy is required between the government, traditional institutions, religious leaders and the citizens to collectively take responsibility, and that the government must also strengthen the manpower of the NDLEA and other relevant government agencies to enable them exercise their statutory functions effectively.
Factual information sharing on the dangers of drug abuse and possible ways of treatment and rehabilitation is the key in the prevention of drug abuse especially in this digital era of technology.
However community support is also extremely important to prevent, treat, rehabilitate and accept those addicted to drug abuse. They need the society's support, care and love not stigmatization or punishment. Drug addicts need to be carried along by the society in all spheres of life, as stigmatizing them is often considered inappropriate in the prevention of drug abuse.
Fight against drug abuse in our country is not the task of government alone, rather we all have a collective role to play in the fight against this social vice.
You can be at the forefront in the campaign against drug abuse by using your social media handles to effectively share factual information on the dangers of drug abuse.
Be a good role model and empower young people to deal with life challenges to buffer substance abuse.
Do not be an enabler, Do not use, Speak against it.
Yahaya Saidu Lugga GNIM, ACIPM (Ghana)
Coordinator Drug Free Arewa Movement Katsina State
Yahaya Saidu Lugga is a Builder by profession with huge interest in community development service.
An associate of the Chattered Institute of project management (CIPM) Ghana, A graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) Chattered and Member of many youths groups.
He is an advocate of drug abuse free society and a member of community intervention network on drugs (CIND)
Yahaya Lugga is currently leading the crusade in the fight against drug abuse under the auspices of Drug Free Arewa Movement as Coordinator Katsina State
0 Comments