Senate initiates 2 bills to fight drug abuse

Two draft bills have been initiated for legislation to tackle drug abuse in the country, the Senate President’s office announced last night.

The proposed bills, according to a statement issued last are, National Drug Control Bill and National Mental Health Bill.

A statement by the Media Office of the Senate President said the Drug Control Bill seeks to clarify the mandate and strengthen the capacity of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant law enforcement and regulatory bodies to eradicate the illicit production, and trafficking of controlled substances.

It also seeks to establish a central mechanism to facilitate collaboration among law enforcement, regulatory and public health authorities in line with the National Drug Control Policy.

The bill focuses on proactive law enforcement and regulatory measures towards the eradication of illicit importation, production and trafficking of controlled substances.

It also criminalizes the diversion, distribution or otherwise dispensing of controlled substances without a prescription or license.

On the mental health bill, the statement noted that, in recognition of the fact that psychosocial issues were the key drivers for the abuse of psychoactive substance; the bill is to ensure that standard facilities were available in every state to provide mental health and substance abuse services.

The proposed law guarantees protection of the rights of people with mental illness and stipulates that mental health practitioners and facilities no longer engage in practices harmful to people with mental health and substance use disorders.

Commenting on the draft bills, Senate President Bukola Saraki said a provision for stiffer sanctions would be made in the bills, as proactive mechanism in the prevention of drug trafficking and abuse.

Irukera said that the manufacturer of the product had made a statement seeking to address public concern by differentiating its products and explaining the purposes of the two different products.

He also said that the organisation would continue to collaborate with the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) regarding applicable safety standards of butter and margarine.

He added that consumption of butter, margarine or spreads generally are not unsafe. (NAN)