Tinubu: Don’t Stigmatise Drug Use Victims

•Addiction not death sentence, says House Speaker  

•Marwa canvasses collaborative efforts in fight against illicit drugs

•Fight against drug abuse is everyone’s business, says MTN 

•UNODC raises the alarm over growing global illicit drug supply

•Group expresses concern over negative impact of stigma, discrimination

Deji Elumoye, Michael Olugbode in Abuja, Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City and Ugo Aliogo in Lagos

President Bola Tinubu has advised the larger Nigerian society against social and structural stigmatisation of drug use victims, which hinders them from accessing needed care and support.

Speaking yesterday during the annual celebration of the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at the State House, Abuja, the president, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, endorsed the theme of the celebration, which is “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.”

According to him, the theme stressed the imperative to prioritise the wellbeing and dignity of individuals affected by drug abuse, recognising their inherent worth and the importance of providing them with effective prevention and treatment interventions.

“We could not agree less with the importance of this theme now that the most vulnerable population, especially women, young people, people living in marginalised environments, high-risk drug users, people displaced by armed conflicts or natural disasters and people in rural settings, are exposed to stigma, discrimination and exclusion from mainstream opportunities.

“These groups often face barriers in accessing the healthcare and social services within the society in addressing their drug use problems. Therefore, interventions to address drug use and its associated consequences need to be mindful of the fundamental rights of every individual.

“Stigma both social and structural, which continues to affect people, who use drugs and implicated as one of the most common barriers to access support and services must be removed.”

The President insisted that educating the citizenry on the dangers of drug abuse and the need to stop stigma and discrimination is crucial, calling for support for those affected.

“We must empower our youth with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about their lives, and provide victims to drug abuse with the resources they need to avoid falling victims of drug abuse. We must also support those who are struggling with drug addiction, and provide them with treatment and necessary support they need to overcome their addiction.

“In the face of these challenges, it is imperative that we adopt a people-centered approach that focuses on prevention and treatment as key pillars of our response.”

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, while speaking emphasisedthe need for empathy for drug use victims, saying addiction was not a death sentence.

Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Benjamin Kalu, the speaker expressed the readiness of the National Assembly to support all federal government’s policies that engender gainful engagements of Nigerians, especially the youths, who are prone to drug abuse.

On behalf of MTN Foundation, partners to the NDLEA, the chairman, Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, whose speech was read by Dennis Okoro, said the “fight against drug abuse is everyone’s fight,” and that, it must be intensified to rid the system of the menace.

He described the scourge of substance abuse as “a clear and present danger, more so as the statistics indicate that a staggering number of people are caught in its snare.

Earlier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier- General Buba Marwa (rtd), said the agency could not win the war against illicit drugs without the active collaboration of all stakeholders.

He cautioned that rather than stigmatising individuals under the web of drug addicts, such persons deserve sympathy and support.

“By focusing on ‘People First’, we recognise that individuals struggling with drug abuse are not defined solely by their addiction. They are human beings with inherent dignity, deserving of understanding, empathy, and support. Hence, we must work to break down the barriers that prevent people from seeking help and foster an environment where they feel safe, respected, and encouraged to access the necessary treatments and interventions.

“A crucial part of this assignment is addressing stigma and discrimination in attitudes and practices that create additional hurdles for those seeking assistance. Our prejudices hinder their access to healthcare, employment, and social support systems.

“By raising awareness, educating communities, and promoting acceptance, we can challenge these harmful stereotypes and foster a society that embraces individuals on their path to recovery.”

 Meanwhile, growing illicit drug supply and increasingly trafficking networks are compounding intersecting global crises, challenging health services and law enforcement responses, according to the World Drug Report 2023, launched by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) yesterday.

The new data put the global estimate of people who injected drugs in 2021 at 13.2 million, 18 per cent higher than previously estimated.

Globally, over 296 million people used drugs in 2021, an increase of 23 per cent over the previous decade. The number of people who suffer from drug use disorders, meanwhile, has skyrocketed to 39.5 million, a 45 per cent increase over 10 years.

The report featured a special chapter on drug trafficking and crimes that affect the environment in the Amazon Basin, as well as sections on clinical trials involving psychedelics and medical use of cannabis; drug use in humanitarian settings; innovations in drug treatment and other services; and drugs and conflict.

The World Drug Report 2023 also highlighted how social and economic inequalities drive – and are driven by – drug challenges; the environmental devastation and human rights abuses caused by illicit drug economies; and the rising dominance of synthetic drugs.

It also showed that demand for treating drug-related disorders remained largely unmet with only one in five people suffering from drug-related disorders were in treatment for drug use in 2021, with widening disparities in access to treatment across regions.

Youth populations were the most vulnerable to using drugs and also more severely affected by substance use disorder in several regions, according to the report.

In Africa, 70 per cent of people in treatment were under the age of 35.

The report argued that public health, prevention, and access to treatment services must be prioritised worldwide, or drug challenges would leave more people behind. It further underscored the need for law enforcement responses to keep pace with agile criminal business models and the proliferation of cheap synthetic drugs that are easy to bring to market.

Reacting to the findings of the report, UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly said: “We are witnessing a continued rise in the number of people suffering from drug use disorders worldwide, while treatment is failing to reach all of those who need it.

“Meanwhile, we need to step up responses against drug trafficking rings that are exploiting conflicts and global crises to expand illicit drug cultivation and production, especially of synthetic drugs, fueling illicit markets and causing greater harm to people and communities.”

According to the report, the right to health is not granted to many people who use drugs; large inequalities in access and availability of controlled drugs for medical use persist, particularly for pain management; the disparity is particularly prevalent between the global North and South and across urban and rural areas, making some people feel the negative impact of drugs more than others.

Some 86 per cent of the world’s population live in countries with too little access to pharmaceutical opioids (as controlled under the 1961 Single Convention) – mainly low and middle-income countries; some impoverished and vulnerable populations, such as those in the tri-border area between Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, are trapped in rural areas with a high prevalence of drug-related crimes, with their remote locations make it exceedingly difficult for them to benefit from treatment services, resources, or the rule of law.

The report explained that the drug economy in the Amazon Basin was exacerbating additional criminal activities – such as illegal logging, illegal mining, illegal land occupation, wildlife trafficking and more – damaging the environment of the world’s largest rainforest. Indigenous peoples and other minorities are suffering the consequences of this crime convergence, including displacement, mercury poisoning, and exposure to violence, among others; environmental defenders are sometimes specifically targeted by traffickers and armed groups.

It stated that while the war in Ukraine had displaced traditional cocaine and heroin routes, there were signs that the conflict could trigger an expansion of the manufacture and trafficking of synthetic drugs, given the existing know-how and the large markets for synthetic drugs developing in the region: in the Sahel, the illicit drug trade finances non-state armed and insurgency groups, while in Haiti, drug traffickers take advantage of porous borders to bolster their businesses, fueling the country’s multiplying crises.

The report stated that while new research on the use of controlled drugs such as psychedelics to treat mental health conditions and substance use disorders showed promise, it however cautioned that the fast pace of developments could jeopardise efforts to enact policies that place public health concerns over commercial interests; without well-designed, adequately researched frameworks in place, there may be too little access for those who need treatment – potentially causing patients to turn to illegal markets – or conversely, the psychedelics may be diverted for non-medical use.

The report stated that the cheap, easy and fast production of synthetic drugs had radically transformed many illicit drug markets; criminals producing methamphetamine – the world’s dominant illegally manufactured synthetic drug – are attempting to evade law enforcement and regulatory responses through new synthesis routes, bases of operation, and non-controlled precursors.

It raised the alarm that fentanyl has drastically altered the opioid market in North America with dire consequences, noting that in 2021, the majority of the approximately 90,000 opioid related overdose deaths in North America involved illegally manufactured fentanyls.

Meanwhile, a group under the aegis of Smile Africa International Youth Development Initiative, has called for proper campaign to combat stigma and discrimination against people who used drugs by promoting language and attitudes that are respectful and non-judgmental.

The body stated this during the occasion of the 2023 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with the theme, “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention,” held in Benin City, capital of Edo State.

Addressing newsmen, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Chapter, Chairman of the group, Purpose Osamwonyi Iserhienrhien, noted that the world drug problem had been a complex issue that that affects millions of people worldwide.

He said many people who use drugs face stigma and discrimination, which could further harm their physical and mental health and prevent them accessing the help they needed.

Besides, he said the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), recognised the importance of taking a people-oriented approach to drug policies, with a focus on human rights, compassion, and evidence-based practices, adding that “the aim of this year’s campaign is to raise awareness about the importance of treating people who use drugs with respect and empathy; providing evidence-based, voluntary services for all; offering alternatives to punishment; prioritising prevention; and leading with compassion.”

Iserhienrhien also noted: “In line with this year theme, we are here to present to you the current situation report on people who use drugs in the state and the challenge they face every day in accessing health and rights services and to appeal to you to give human faces and promote respect for human rights as your report on our laws and policies.”

He further stated that members of the group were in the streets to raise awareness about AIDS and hepatitis epidemics among people who use drugs, expand and strengthen HIV and hepatitis prevention programmes; promote evidence-based, voluntary services for all people who use drugs; educate people on drug use disorders, available treatment and the importance of early intervention; as well as empower young people and communities to prevent drug use and addiction.

Responding on behalf of NUJ members, the Chairman, Mr. Festus Alenghe, called for establishment of psychiatric hospitals by state governments to effectively combat drug addiction, adding that the number of hospitals taking care of those affected by wrong use of drugs is inadequate.