The 2015 report of the International Narcotic Control Board
(INCB) has attributed rising cases of insecurity to illicit drug use in the
region. It also identified Africa as a key transit point for drug trafficking to
Europe and other parts of the world. According to the report which was launched
in Abuja, West Africa remains a primary source of drugs entering Europe while
East Africa is increasingly being used as a trafficking hub for Afghan heroin
destined for Europe. The focus of the 2015 report is on health and welfare of
mankind.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) country
representative, Ms. Cristine Albertin who officially presented the report noted
that cannabis use remains high in Africa while increasing drug use is creating
security challenges. In her words, “annual prevalence of cannabis use in the
region remains high as 7.5 percent of the population aged 15-64 almost double
the global annual average of 3.9 percent. The figure is particularly high in
West and Central Africa with 12.4 percent. Cannabis remains the primary drug
for which people in Africa receive treatment for substance abuse. Rise in illicit
drug use is creating security challenges in addition to having negative health
and social impact”. The report also stated that only one out of 18 people suffering
from drug abuse disorders or drug abuse dependence receive treatment each year.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Mustapha
Abdallah in his key note address stated that though there are low level of
commercial and pharmacological regulation and lack of trade monitoring for
precursor chemicals in African countries; efforts are ongoing to bring culprits
to book. “Some cases of diversion of imported precursor chemicals have been
detected by NDLEA and the culprits have been arrested. The NDLEA has discovered
and dismantled ten (10) clandestine drug laboratories for the production of
methamphetamine in Nigeria particularly Lagos and Anambra States between 2011
and 2015. High level investigations are on-going to detect more of such
laboratories and the perpetrators arrested. In addition, we shall go after
their criminal wealth and ensure forfeiture of same” Abdallah stated.
He pledged the commitment of the NDLEA towards an effective
collaboration with UNODC, NAFDAC and other relevant stakeholders to ensure
availability and accessibility of internationally controlled drugs within the
limits of the provisions of the relevant laws. “While working to dismantle drug
trafficking organizations in the country the NDLEA will also partner with appropriate
organizations towards ensuring qualitative treatment and care for persons with
drug abuse treatment”
Abdallah promised to seek for funds to enable the Agency
embark on elaborate anti-drug abuse campaign to reduce cases of drug
trafficking especially Nigerians caught outside the country thereby affecting
the image of the country negatively.
The Acting Director General of NAFDAC, Mrs. Yetunde Oni said
that her Agency is working to prevent diversion of precursor chemicals address
the problem of drug abuse particularly abuse of prescription medicines. “The
online pre-export notification an initiative of INCB is an effective tool for
monitoring the international movement of precursors. We are also working with
other agencies to reduce cases of abuse of prescription medicines” she stated. According
to the acting DG, the Nigerian government is in the process of conducting a
national drug use survey. The outcome of the survey will guide regulatory
action as well as help in developing appropriate drug prevention and treatment
strategies.
A goodwill message
from the minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole represented by pharmacist
Beauty Okologo emphasized the importance of close working relations among
stakeholders to find answers to the problem of drug abuse in the country. Present
at the launch was the Jamaican High Commissioner, Ms. Ann Scott,
representatives from the embassy of Netherlands, Germany, Norway, France and
Niger.
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