By Ehichioya Steve Odion
The continued
abuse of drugs by people in the society is encouraged due to the mismanagement of natural resources by leaders in government, unemployment and non equitable distribution of wealth amongst the citizens.
This was disclosed recently by Prof. Ernest Ugiagbe, the keynote speaker in Multi Stakeholders Dialogue On Gender Based Violence, Human Rights Violation And People Who Use Drugs with the Theme: No To Stigmatization And Criminalization, Enhance Prevention And Human Reduction organised by Securing The Creative Goldmine In Youths Initiative, a Benin based NGO.
He said drugs has affected so many marriages and educational careers among the people in the society, adding that it also affects physical and social relationship with people.
Prof. Ugiagbe however provided some solutions that could help in eradicating drugs in the Society.
"The education must start from the family. The family should be held responsible if any one found with drugs in such a family
"If parents, schools and religious bodies do their job well, it may go a long way in eradicating the use of drugs among the youths
"There should be political will from the government to really intervene and go after the big people in the Society who are in the business of use and sale of drugs. We should stop stigmatizing drug users. Rather, encourage them to leave drugs, make them your friends and they will continue to value their lives".
He canvassed for a legal framework and not to condemn drug users or criminalizing them, rather we should introduce them to what will help them in the future
Dr. Ugiagbe also said there is need to encourage donor agencies to directing their funds in eradicating poverty in the society, because poverty is responsible for drug abuse issues.
On his part, Dr. Michael Ndisika who spoke on the Reduction, Stigmatization and Criminilization of people with Drugs in our Society, said it is necessary to find out those elements that make people to go into drugs.
He also said that when interacting with drug users we should try and tell them those things that will make them feel important and acceptable in the society.
"Addressing stigma and avoiding Criminalization is vital for the well being of individuals and communities"he added.
In his earlier remarks, the Executive Director of Securing The Creative Goldmine in Youths Initiative, Comrade Asibor Edwin said the increasing rate of abuse of substance level needs a holistic approach by all and sundry, not just the government alone but everyone else apart from those in the business of sales and distribution of drugs.
"This dialogue is expected to further increase awareness on the subject with a view to coming up with solutions in reducing the stereotype on people who use drugs in the state and to give them opportunities to contribute meaningfully to societal development".
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