NCH seeks legal framework for health sector response to drug use epidemic

The 65th National Council on Health (NCH) has approved a memorandum calling for the establishment of a legal framework and comprehensive public health approach to tackle Nigeria’s escalating drug use epidemic.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Development, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, made this known on Saturday in Maiduguri,

Pate stressed the inadequacies of the current legal structure, which prioritized drug enforcement over public health interventions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15 years to 64 years use psychoactive substances, with three million experiencing drug use disorders.

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This crisis is further compounded by a 10 per cent HIV prevalence rate among people who inject drugs, up from 3.4 per cent in 2014, according to data presented to the council.

Pate said that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act was unbalanced, focusing primarily on enforcement while neglecting health sector-led response of prevention, treatment, and harm reduction.

“The memorandum stressed the need to align Nigeria’s drug control policies with global best practices, including the World Health Organization’s recommendations for a public health-centred approach.

These recommendations include Preventing drug use and addressing vulnerabilities, and Improving treatment and rehabilitation access for people with drug use disorders.

“Other recommendations are. Implementing harm reduction measures, Ensuring access to controlled medicines for medical purposes, and Establishing monitoring and evaluation systems,” he said.

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The minister also noted the disproportionate impact on women, who make up 25 per cent of drug users, many of whom face barriers to treatment due to stigma and inadequate resources.

“The NCH’s decision aligns with Nigeria’s commitments to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and global declarations.

“The declarations include the 2016 United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) Outcome Document and the 2019 Commission on Narcotics Drugs (CND) Ministerial Declaration.

“The proposed framework aims to curb drug use and mitigate co-morbidities like HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and Tuberculosis, contributing to the global goal of eliminating these infections by 2030,” he said.

Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, Director of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health, commended the council for prioritizing a public health response.

“This decision signifies Nigeria’s commitment to addressing the root causes of drug use.

“It is a vital step towards saving lives and achieving Universal Health Coverage,” Anyaike said.

Mrs. Oluwafisayo Alao, Executive Director, Youth Rise Nigeria, a technical partner with the Federal Ministry of Health, commended the NCH for this significant step.

Alao called for expedited action on the establishment of the legal framework

“The legal framework should ensure that States also take ownership of drug use interventions as drug use happens in communities within the states,” she said.

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She stressed the importance of gender-sensitive programmes to improve treatment access for women.

Earlier Consultant Psychiatrist, Prof. Ibrahim Wakawa, emphasized the need for collaboration between the Executive and legislative arms of Government.

Wakawa said that such collaboration would ensure the establishment of the legal framework for a comprehensive public health approach to drug use.

Wakawa urged the Judiciary and enforcement sectors to support the establishment of the legal framework.

“A unified approach is critical for success,” said Wakawa, who is also the Chief Medical Director, of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri.

He called for transparency and robust monitoring to track progress.

Meanwhile, stakeholders hope this shift will mark a turning point in addressing drug use as a public health priority rather than just a criminal issue.