Stigma and the Fight Against Drug Abuse
I was seated in a car with my friends along Benin-Sapele road on Thursday 17th August 2023, when the news of the visit of Afeez Adeshina Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, to the headquarters of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) started trending, first on X, and other social media blogs and news platforms. We saw the pictures and watched the video of Naira saying “No to drug use and abuse.” The first impression for me was “this is absolutely okay”; second impression, I hope he stays true to his words. As friends, we argued a bit on the matter.
But, I was the first to point it out to them that there is no single phrase or sentence where the NDLEA said Naira Marley was their Ambassador, neither did Naira Marley say anything close to it, but it dawned on us that our psychology is playing fast on us as it seems clear to us now that once anyone is pictured with a big symbol like that of Buba Marwa, in his office, that person is naturally tagged as an ambassador. We argued a bit and moved on.
Four days later, it is surprising that the media and majority of social media users are still on the mater, not only that they are castigating the NDLEA for accepting to receive Naira Marley in audience but as well, spewing and sharing narratives different from what we saw from the NDLEA on X and other social media platforms. Some went as far as misrepresenting the NDLEA Act and what the Agency stands for, by analysing the supply reduction mandate of the act and leaving out the demand reduction aspect; that which focuses on the mission and vision of rescuing users, addicts and treatment seekers; a core of the Act, created to safeguard the wellbeing of every Nigerian from falling into the trap of illicit drug use.
On the other hand, who would have thought that the NDLEA would stay true to their words when they cited as part of their justification the theme of this year’s United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking which says “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.”
The acceptance of Naira Marley’s request to visit the NDLEA boss and his subsequent acceptance to speak against abuse of illicit substances shows the NDLEA is approaching the war against drug abuse in Nigeria with their whole society approach, which includes taking the anti-drug abuse advocacy messages to schools, market places, motor parks, Nollywood, kannywood, traditional rulers, religious leaders, the labour and now the entertainment industry, which has started by targeting someone who uses drugs, projects and promotes drug use to dynamic ‘Marlian’ fan base, with over seven million followers, on social media.
As such, I can’t place the essence of the hullabaloo, over the acceptance of someone who wants to quit the drug use culture, with his above seven million followers. The acceptance of Naira Marley’s repentance by the Agency should be accepted and should stand, else, we are not only stigmatising Naira Marley’s willingness to start a recovery process but as well, trying to shame the Agency for doing their work, based on international best practices.
This must never happen if Nigeria must win the war against substance abuse that is destroying the lives of millions of our youth population.
Agbontaen Okogun, Benin City, Edo State
