The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has encouraged the federal government not to prosecute them, but to rehabilitate drug abusers.
The association, popularly known as Federacion Internacional de Abogadas (FIDA), called as part of operations to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 26 July.
FIDA described people found guilty in allegations of drug abuse as “exploited” in a press briefing on Wednesday by its national president, Rhoda Tyoden.
As an alternative to “overburdening” the prisons of the country with their beliefs, she encouraged the government to rehabilitate them.
“FIDA Nigeria calls on all to recognise and properly address the growing menace of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in society. The Federal Government must realise that rather than treating those who have been exploited as criminals and overburdening our prisons, more should be done to rehabilitate the individual and reintegrate them into society.”
The organization also called on the government to tackle the root cause of drug abuse, which it claimed was poverty and social marginalization.
“The federal government should adhere to the International human rights standards it has ratified and mainstream a gender and age perspective into drug-related policies since women and children are especially vulnerable to exploitation in the illicit drug trade. Legal age restrictions on existing drug-related health services should be reviewed, and accessible drug dependence treatment, and harm reduction services should be provided.
“Finally, the federal government must prioritise and address the root causes of involvement in the drug trade, including poverty and social marginalisation. This is a matter of urgency, and FIDA Nigeria calls on the government and all relevant agencies come with up with a pragmatic and holistic approach to tackle this menace that has bedevilled our country.”
“We also call on non-governmental organisations, international organisations, parents, religious bodies, traditional rulers, heads of schools at various levels (primary, secondary and tertiary institutions) and the entire community to wake up and fight to save our children especially from the tragedy of drug abuse and illicit trafficking,” the statement said.
According to a study undertaken by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), drug use rates in Nigeria were twice greater in 2018 than the 5.3 percent worldwide average.
An UN General Assembly resolution on December 7, 1987 created the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
