Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged increased support for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in its efforts to combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
This commitment was made during the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Addressing the gathering, Tinubu urged everyone to support the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, launched by the NDLEA three years ago.
He stated, “I commend and urge everyone to redouble their efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking in the country. On this score, I wish to reassure you of this administration’s support. The ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ places the youth at the centre of its focus.
“Therefore, we ensure that our young people are protected from anything that could derail their future or destroy their potential.”
He highlighted the devastating impact of illicit drugs on individuals, families, communities, and countries worldwide.
Tinubu added, “In the face of such a formidable challenge, prevention is the most potent weapon that we can deploy. Prevention not only saves lives; it also saves resources that would otherwise be spent on treatment and rehabilitation.
“It empowers individuals to make informed choices, promotes healthy lifestyles and creates resilient communities capable of withstanding the pressures of drug abuse. Investing in prevention is not merely a moral imperative, a prudent way of safeguarding our future.”
Speaking further he articulated, “By allocating resources towards evidence-based prevention programmes, we can break the vicious cycle of drug abuse and protect our youth from falling prey to the menace.”
He explained that the assignment “before us as a country requires” prioritising evidence-based prevention strategies, allocating adequate resources and fostering partnerships for greater impact.
“This government will support NDLEA to build on the success recorded in the past few years. We shall work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that we have positive statistics from the next national drug use survey that will be conducted in the country,” Tinubu stressed.
He called on all Nigerians, including religious and traditional leaders, educational institutions, opinion leaders, and civil society organizations, to join in this critical effort.
“NDLEA has created a formidable platform for cooperation vis-à-vis its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy initiative,” he noted.
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