The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, (UNODC), has predicted a 40 percent increase in the use of illicit drugs in Africa by 2030.
In an issued statement signed by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, Femi Babafemi, on Wednesday, after a press conference to kick off the week-long activities to celebrate the ‘2024 International Day Against Drugs and Illicit Trafficking‘, in conjunction with other stakeholders like the UNODC.
UNODC Country Deputy Representative, Danilo Campisi, said the projection is based on the population of young people on the continent.
He also lamented that the increase is extremely concerning considering that 2030 is only six years away.
He said, “Projections show that by 2030, there will be a 40% increase in the use of drugs in Africa, based on the population of young people. This is extremely concerning if we consider that 2030 is only six years away.
“We are all familiar with the saying: “prevention is better than cure” and considering the data and projections, it has become even more critical for Nigeria to invest heavily in drug use preventive measures. I do not think it would be an exaggeration to describe this as a national emergency. If the country is to take on the challenge of this projected increase in drug use, it is imperative that it adopts scientific evidence-based approaches that prioritise prevention and treatment”.
He said UNODC has worked with the government of Nigeria to adapt and implement evidence-based prevention measures which include the highly successful ‘UNPLUGGED’, a school-based Drug Prevention Programme implemented together with the Federal Ministry of Education, in 110 Unity Schools and a few States in the country, notably Kebbi, Bayelsa and recently, Kaduna, on the initiative of the State Governments in these states.
Earlier, the Chairman and Chief Executive, NDLEA, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa(rtd) represented by the agency secretary, Shadrach Haruna, justified the decision of the anti-narcotics body to go after the assets of drug barons and traffickers as part of ongoing offensive action against illicit drugs and cartels.
Speaking on the drug demand reduction efforts of the Agency, Marwa said the flagship programme: “War Against Drug Abuse”, built on the whole-of-society approach for preventive action against drug abuse has been a tremendous success as an effective tool of advocacy for social action and an awareness-driven vehicle for public engagement and collaboration against illicit trafficking and abuse, which he said aligns with the theme for the 2024 World Drug Day, (WDD).
He said World Drug Day, observed on June 26 every year, is an important day for the global community and an occasion during which current efforts against illicit drug problems are given policy direction for the next 12 months.
He added that the theme for this year: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention”, emphasises the importance of preventing people from falling into the danger of experimenting with illicit drugs and subsequently falling into the trap of dependence on psychoactive substances.
