Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) has officially communicated to the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) endorsing the group’s children’s comic book which seeks to sensitise Nigerian children to stay off hard drugs and illicit substances, for a better future.
In the light of the official endorsement, HURIWA said it applied to Dangote Foundation in Lagos for funding assistance to publish additional 10,000 copies of the book for free distribution to school children in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
However, the body said “the Dangote Foundation did not respond to our request for assistance.”
In a statement today, May 20, signed by National Coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emma Onwubiko, the body said the letter was sent to Dangote Foundation over a month ago “and there has been no written reply to either agree or refuse to provide funding assistance for the publication of ten thousand copies of the children’s comic book against drug abuses.”
HURIWA said it had earlier printed 5, 000 copies that it freely distributed in few secondary schools located in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of FCT.
HURIWA, a prominent civil rights advocacy group, is dedicated to promoting a safer and more secure future for Nigerian children.
It stated: “As a leading advocacy and a not-for -profit organization, HURIWA recognizes the devastating impact of drug abuse on young lives and is committed to protecting the rights of children to grow up free from substance abuse.
“By raising awareness and advocating for policies that support children’s well-being, HURIWA aims to create a brighter future for Nigeria’s next generation, where every child can thrive and reach their full potential.
“Drug abuse among teenagers in Nigeria has severe consequences, including increased risk of mental health problems, involvement in criminal activities, and poor academic performance.
“The link between drug abuse and crime rate is significant, with studies showing that drug abuse induces predatory crimes, such as armed robbery and gang formation.
“In Nigeria, teenagers abuse drugs for various reasons, including to overcome frustration, relieve stress, forget personal sorrows, or to fit in with peers. Parental influence, peer pressure, and lack of awareness about the risks associated with drug abuse contribute to the problem.
“The consequences of drug abuse among teenagers in Nigeria are far-reaching, affecting not only the individual but also society at large. It’s essential to address the root causes of substance abuse and provide support to those affected to mitigate the negative impact on crime rates and overall well-being.
“Adolescence is a developmental stage often characterised by various kinds of risk-taking, such as experimentation with alcohol, drugs, sexuality and criminal activities. Most people commit minor offences at one time or another in their youth.
“The connection between criminality and drug use is obvious by virtue of the fact that drug use is illegal in many countries, but the relationship can be complex and manifested in various ways. As well, it is often difficult to determine which of the two problems came first (Mulvey 2010).
“The connection may also manifest in different ways, in different phases of the course of a substance use problem. Crimes and drugs are rarely related to each other in occasional or experimental drug users, while long-term drug use promotes criminality (Bennett & Holloway 2005; Simpson 2003).
“Drug abuse among children and teenagers in Nigeria is growing rapidly fast as many young people are vulnerable to substance abuse due to various factors such as peer pressure and lack of parental guidance and even with parental guidance, teenagers are prone and curious to trying out new things. The more commonly abused substances include weed, loud, cannabis, tramadol, and other prescription medications.”
