June 28, 2020
By Ijendu Iheaka
Mr David Anyanwu, an aide to Gov Okezie Ikpeazu has called on governments in Nigeria to declare state of emergency on hard drug dealings and consumption of psychotropic substances.
Anyanwu, a Special Assistant to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu on Drugs and Narcotics said that such action against hard drugs abuse and peddling would save Nigeria from crime resulting from abuse of hard drugs.
He noted that hard drug abuse had been fingered in the rape of women and minors, killing of parents, spouses and siblings, kidnappings and robberies and other heinous crimes and criminality in the land.
He said that research having shown most people who commit major crimes worldwide are found to have done so under the influence of drugs, taking drastic steps against the drug scourge would abate crime rates.
Anyanwu made this call in an interview with our Correspondent in Aba on Sunday in response to United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
He commended the declaration of state of emergency against rape by Nigerian Governors Forum but noted that the problem would possibly continue if not destroyed from its roots which is mostly drug abuse.
“The declaration of state of emergency against rape in Nigeria is a welcomed development.
“But I am of the opinion that such state of emergency should also be declared on drug dealings and consumption of psychotropic substances.
“This has become germane from the point of view that for anyone to solve any problem, he must get to its roots”, he said.
Anyanwu said that the involvement of some wealthy people in drugs and drug abuse was dealing a heavy blow to the fight against hard drugs in society.
He therefore called for “a strong political will from governments”to face the problem head on if other crimes in the country must be reduced.
“There should also be strong legislation against drug trafficking, consumption and related offenses.
“National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) should be strengthened and its operational sphere extended to local communities and hinterlands.
“There should be rehabilitation centres both for rapist and drug addicts throughout the states of the federation and FCT as it is clear that the culprits act from a mentally unstable condition”.
The governor’s aide suggested the addition of drug education in school curriculum and federal government’s introduction of compulsory random forensic drug test for job seekers into public and private sectors.
Anyanwu also urged parents and the judiciary to apply more preventive and punitive measures to check drug abuse and peddling in Nigeria.
He said every necessary step to check drug abuse and peddling in the country would be worth the while hence it is clear that a drug free society would be a substantially crime free society.
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