Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), yesterday, commended President Bola Tinubu and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for joining National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to fight against hard drugs.
HURIWA, in a statement by National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said Tinubu’s recent speech at an NDLEA event garnered praise for highlighting urgent need for effective rehabilitation of drug addicts and avoidance of stigmatization.
The rights group said: “His call for a people-centred approach to addressing drug addiction has struck a chord with advocates of drug policy reform, who emphasise the importance of understanding and supporting individuals struggling with addiction in their journey to recovery.
“On the one hand, NYSC, known for its role in national development and youth empowerment, has taken a commendable stance against the scourge of drug abuse. Under the leadership of its Director General, Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, NYSC has made the fight against hard drugs and cultism a centerpiece of its operations.”
HURIWA noted: “The Director General’s address to corps members nationwide disclosed the organisation’s commitment to staying ahead of drug-inspired lifestyles by implementing effective mechanisms to identify and weed out potential drug addicts.
“This proactive approach has been hailed as a phenomenal step in the fight against drug abuse, and is seen as an excellent example of how organisations can play a vital role in tackling drug menace.”
Also, in a bid to ensure accountability and assess effectiveness of NYSC’s counter-narcotics mechanisms, HURIWA said it dispatched a team of drug law experts to various states, including Imo, Abia, Lagos, Oyo, Bayelsa, and Kaduna, who conducted interviews with corps members to evaluate the organisation’s efforts in combating drug addiction.
The findings, according to HURIWA, revealed that NYSC has put in place measures to detect and address addiction, even before corps members are admitted into camps.
“This proactive approach has earned the organisation praise and underscores its commitment to creating a safe and drug-free environment for Nigerian youth,” the group added.
