Stakeholders have called for collaborative efforts in addressing the prevalence of illicit drugs peddling, abuse and addiction in Nigeria.

Stakeholders made the call in their separate contributions during a town hall meeting on drug addiction, organised by an NGO, Best Brain Initiative for Human Development (BBIHD), on Wednesday in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The theme of the meeting is, “Breaking the Chains of Addiction, Building Community- Led Solutions to Combat Drug Abuse.”

The Convener and Executive Director of BBIHD, Ojewola Olawale, equally launched a book with the title, “Uncaged- Breaking Free from the Chains of Addiction” during the event.

The participants called for a multi-faceted approach that involved societal and family support systems, effective law enforcement and sensitisation campaigns to address the menace.

In his remarks, Mr Olawale said that the meeting was to exchange knowledge, share experiences and brainstorm on ways to tackle drug addiction and abuse in the country.

He underscored the need to combat the widespread availability and use of illicit drugs, which pose significant challenges to the nation’s development.

He noted that collaborative effort from relevant government agencies, private organisations, and individuals was essential to tackling the root causes of drug abuse and implementing sustainable solutions.

He charged the participants to come up with solutions to tackle the menace, which, according to him, is a catalyst to diverse crime.

Mr Olawale explained that his book, “Uncaged – Breaking Free from the Chains of Addiction,” represented his shared commitment to building a safer, healthier and more supportive community.

Representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), A.O. Achichi, decried the involvement of teenage children between 12 and 13 years old in drug abuse and addiction.

Mr Achichi attributed the involvement of the underage girls and boys in illicit drugs to wrong associations and peer groups influence.

He called on the general public to report any drug dependent person or drug peddlers to the agency, saying such information would be confidentially treated.

Also speaking, Oyo State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Kemi Afolayan, said that the agency, in collaboration with the National Assembly in 2024, launched a campaign against drug abuse.

Ms Afolayan urged relevant security agencies to focus more on motor parks, neighbourhood markets, and around school premises where drug peddlers disguised as genuine traders to sell cannabis and other illicit drugs.

She noted that NOA officials in the state had started visiting public schools to create awareness on value orientation, saying such awareness was to inculcate moral values into the pupils and students.

In the same vein, the Oyo State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps, Abel Oche, noted that tackling consumption of illicit drugs was imperative for national progress.

Mr Oche underscored the importance of addressing root causes, which he stressed contributed to drug abuse among youths and teenagers.

He charged the NDLEA to embark on measures that would address the underlying issues to combat drug peddling and consumption.

A House of Representatives member, Aderemi Oseni, (Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency), urged stakeholders to join forces to tackle the menace of drug abuse and addiction.

Represented by his aide, Dr Ibrahim Okunlola, Mr Oseni underscored the importance of peace and security to national development, saying abuse of drugs pose serious challenges to national security.

He added that there can’t be good governance and economic growth in a society where a high number of youths engage in drug abuse.

(NAN)