Experts raise concern over drug abuse, organ trafficking

Experts have said that, ills, plaguing the society which include domestic violence, child abuse, drug addiction, human and organ trafficking should form sensitization forums to help young people and minimize the impact of these misfortunes on victims.

This was the thrust of the discussion at a two-day workshop organised by the Centre for Corrections and Human Development (CCHD) in collaboration with Association of Lady Pharmacists and University of Lagos Anti-Aids Club on “Managing The Health and Welfare of Victims of Human/Organ trafficking, Child Abuse, Rape and Drug Addiction”, held in Lagos.

Research Professor and Chairman at Chidicon Medical Centre, Owerri, Dr. Philip Njemanze, while speaking on the rise of organ trafficking as a global threat, said that human trafficking paved way for organ trafficking. “The western world has been experiencing a downfall in their economy and so they decided to develop the human industry by cloning organs and tissues.

“The national security problem we have today is not Boko Haram, every Nigerian is a reluctant organ donor to the entire world because it is now legal to collect the organs of Nigerians without consent passed by an act of parliament.”

Director, Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, while speaking on an ‘Expose’ on Rape, Child Abuse and Incest – The OPD Experience’ described rape as an unlawful sexual intercourse or any other sexual penetration of the intimate area which rubs the victim of the right to sexual consent as regards future sexual fulfillment, by causing resentment. “The victim is exposed to sexually transmitted diseases and risk developing Vesicle Vaginal Fistula (VVF) as well as having still births.”

The lawyer however noted that out of 277 cases handled by OPD, they have got two adjournments and so it is important that students be security conscious, victims or those aware of rape cases must speak out as failure to report a rape is now an offence.

On the issues and trends in Human Trafficking, Head, Public Enlightenment of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other Related Matters (NAPTIP), Mrs. Kehinde Akomolafe said that the agency have so far prosecuted 253 offenders with the help of NGO’s who fight similar cause, adding that human trafficking thrive due to poverty, cheap labour, unemployment, lack of education, and ignorance.

Representing Wellspring Rehabilitation Centre, Mr. Keji Hamilton while commenting on drug abuse, addiction, causes and its symptoms, said that wrong use of drugs affects the mind, senses and brain cells negatively, “once an individual is involved in drugs, concentration is lost, a Drug Rehabilitation Centre is the best option for that patient instead of a Psychiatric hospital.”

While Executive Director, CCHD, Mrs. Obioma Agoziem, said the workshop is aimed at creating awareness on the menace among children adding that her organization is poised to integrate victims back to the society by rehabilitating them.

“We discover, rescue, rehabilitate and empower victims, and so we are currently working on the development of a rehabilitation/vocational centre to help victims sustain themselves and able them earn a living with decent jobs.”