As the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is marked today globally, the Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) has emphasized the need for government and stakeholders to invest in evidence-based drug prevention programs to protect individuals and communities.
This investment it noted, will significantly reduce the influence of illicit economies profiting from human misery.
The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a United Nations observance against drug abuse and the illegal drug trade, is marked annually on 26 June.
This year’s theme, ‘The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,’ underscores the critical importance of preventing individuals from experimenting with illicit drugs and consequently becoming dependent on psychoactive substances.
In a statement to mark the event, the Executive Director of CEHRAWS, Chuka Okoye, said the year’s theme reminds stakeholders that breaking the cycle of suffering starts with prevention.
“By investing in evidence-based drug prevention programs, we can protect individuals and communities, significantly reducing the influence of illicit economies profiting from human misery.
“CEHRAWS commends the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abia State Command, for their relentless efforts and collaboration with relevant bodies in addressing this menace through their result-oriented Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) programs.
“We also acknowledge and appreciate the support of the government under the leadership of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, for creating an enabling environment for the NDLEA and sister agencies to execute their mandates effectively,” he said.
Okoye, while noting that drug abuse remains a significant danger, particularly for teenagers in rural communities, where dependency rates are alarmingly high, acknowledged the urgent need for drastic measures to curb this growing menace.
He said, “Drug abuse poses severe risks to public health, safety, and economic stability.
“Research conducted in collaboration with the African Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support (CHARS-Africa) reveals that 1 in 4 young adults in our communities is involved in drug abuse, and 1 in 8 has developed a dependency.
“If left unchecked, this trend threatens to undermine the social and economic fabric of our state.
“We, therefore, recommend increased awareness programs to inform communities about the dangers of drug abuse, the need to mobilize community leaders and stakeholders to participate actively in combating drug abuse and to develop and enforce localized DDR strategies to achieve drug-free communities.
“We must also regularly assess the effectiveness of DDR initiatives to ensure continuous improvement and adaptation, while rehabilitation centers, equipped with the required medications should be established with the introduction of sustainable modalities, for the victims’ rehab and reintegration.”
The CEHRAWS expressed its readiness to partner with the government and other relevant stakeholders to fight drug abuse through the introduction of our Strategic Engagement and Advocacy Project on Drug Demand Reduction (SEA-P on DDR).
“This project aligns with Abia State’s commitment to creating a safe, productive, and business-friendly environment.
“Together, let us invest in prevention and take significant strides toward ending the plague of drug abuse and trafficking,” he enthused.
