Experts have called on the Federal Government to prioritize a healthcare-centered approach in addressing the scourge of drug abuse in Nigeria.
They made the call on Tuesday, at a one-day media sensitisation program themed “Public Health Approach to Drug Control Response in Nigeria,” organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Youth Rise, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).
They raised concerns that drug dependency has reached an alarming epidemic level that require quick enduring solution as the future of the country is at stake.
The media advocacy workshop was organised to address the issue with work to do on the elimination of stigma and deemphasising drug users as criminals but as people that need help and empathy.
The Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Chukwuma Anyaike, explained that a public health-oriented approach is the most effective strategy to address drug control in the country.
He also pointed out that the current supply-focused measures have limited access to treatment and prevention services, intensifying public health issues like increased HIV, TB, and hepatitis rates among people who inject drugs.
He argued for an integrated, multidisciplinary approach, combining public health, legal, and social welfare frameworks to tackle the epidemic.
He added that Nigeria should align with international standards, including the World Health Organization’s public health approach, the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Drugs (UNGASS) 2016, and the African Union Plan of Action, to strengthen its response.
“This approach includes the prevention of drug use, treatment and care for individuals with substance use disorders, harm reduction strategies, access to controlled medications, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation,” he said.
Also, the Consultant with YouthRise Nigeria, Nonso Maduka called on the Federal Government and National Assembly to enact legislation that empowers a public health-focused approach to drug control, emphasizing that a comprehensive legal framework centred on health rather than punishment would better support individuals, families, and communities.
Maduka maintained that the workshop’s core mission was to advocate for shifting from punitive measures to health-centred policies, which would improve public health outcomes and provide better support for those affected by drug dependency.
He noted that current drug laws prioritize supply reduction but fail to address the broader public health and dependency issues.
The proposed framework, he explained, would strengthen the health sector’s role in drug control through demand reduction, harm reduction, and expanded access to controlled medications for medical and research purposes.
“We are running an unbalanced drug control approach that focuses mainly on supply reduction.
“Unfortunately, the health sector does not have the legal backing to address drug demand, prevention, treatment, and harm reduction.
“Drug use has reached alarming levels in Nigeria, with over 14.3 million citizens aged 15-64 reported to use drugs, and three million grappling with dependency.
“Current drug laws treat the issue as a criminal problem, limiting health interventions and worsening the strain on communities.
“I believe that viewing drug use through a public health lens could help curb drug dependency while reducing the risks of associated communicable diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis,” he said.
He emphasized the need for empowering local health initiatives and granting States the authority to address drug challenges within their communities, noting that this framework would allow for targeted health responses, including treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.
By implementing a legal framework, Nigeria would establish a balanced approach to drug control, reducing both the incidence and harm of drug use and improving recovery rates, ultimately fostering a healthier future for its citizens, he added.
“If you want to solve it, it must be driven by evidence,” he stated. He advocated for an evidence-based approach to drug issues that balances criminal justice with health-focused interventions, such as drug demand reduction, harm reduction, and access to medications.
“Understanding underlying causes, such as pain management needs and rural challenges, is essential for developing effective, compassionate, and comprehensive responses that prioritize public health alongside enforcement,” he said.
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