Obasanjo appeals for more action on narcotics

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for increased attention to health, drug abuse prevention and treatment in West Africa.

Obasanjo who is the current Chair of the West African Commission on Drugs (WACD) said this at the just concluded 57th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) held in Vienna with highlight on impact of drug consumption on governance, security and development.

He said: “drugs pose a serious threat to peace and security in West Africa. Organized crime syndicates use the region as a hub to transit drugs to other parts of the world. This development calls for funding to be more proportionately directed towards health, treatment and rehabilitation services, which are lacking.”

Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade also canvassed for increased attention on health challenges of drug use, a statement by the agency’s spokesman Ofoyeju Mitchell said.

“We have observed the huge health challenge resulting from both local drug production and influx of drugs into West Africa. It is imperative for stakeholders to devote quality attention to the attendant health problems of illicit drug use. This can be addressed through improved funding, training of health care personnel and establishment of Treatment and Rehabilitation Centres,” Giade stated.