By Saminu Ibrahim
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday urged the legislature to look at existing laws on drug abuse and rape, saying most of the laws are obsolete.
This comes as the chairman, Senate Committe on Narcotic Drugs, Senator Hezekiah Dimka canvassed more funds to tackle the menace of drug abuse in Nigeria.
Acccording to the lawmaker, the fight also requires instilling discipline in the youth.
Gbajabiamila spoke on Tuesday at a one day sensitization workshop, tagged “Drug Abuse and Rape, The Road not Taken” organised by the joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Narcotic drugs in collaboration with Christabels Initiatives in Abuja.
Gbajabiamila, represented by House majority leader, Hon. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa however said the doors of the legislature is wide open.
He said “We are seeking for comprehensive reforms of the police, not only on EndSARS.
“We are not against the police, we must continue to engage ourselves and sensitize ourself for the overall interest of Nigeria” Gbajabiamila added.
But Dimka noted that the Senate Committe on Narcotic Drugs was trying to see what to do, to bring the menace of drug abuse to the barest minimum in Nigeria, saying in doing that funds are required, “we need money”.
“There is need for enough funds to fight this drug abuse, and we can only do that when we have the money, and then at the same time, we need to instil discipline into our youth, that will help us much.
“On our side in the National Assembly, we have tried our best to present all these requirements to the government, and we are expecting that very soon we will get something reasonable that will help us to see how best we can fight drug abuse”.
Additionally, the coordinator of Christabels Initiatives, Dr. Christabels Okoye lamented that Nigeria has suffered so many loss of lives, properties and dignity due to the involvement of well meaning Nigerians abusing and trafficking in drugs.
“We are all aware that the catalyst to violence, Boko Haram continued fight, herdsmen and farmers clash, Bandits and so many communal war, are as a result of drug abuse”.
Meanwhile, speaking on the way forward, Commander of Narcotics, Head sensitization, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Stella Ngozi Ngweke, observed that extensive sensitization on drug abuse and rape would reduce stigmatization.
“Treatment must be made available and affordable”.
She said prosecution should act as deterrent, adding that treatment centre must be female friendly.
Similarly, Director General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Gambo Aliyu applauded the work of Christabels Initiatives.
Aliyu, who spoke through Dr. Yinka Falola-Anoemuah, Deputy Director, Gender, Human Rights and Care Services revealed that 2million people are living with HIV in Nigeria.
“Drug is an important issue for the fight against HIV. The work you are doing is positively impacting on the fight against HIV”.
