Group wants end to drug addiction, electoral violence

The StandSafe Society Against Drugs and Substance Abuse (SSADASA) has called on all stakeholders to end substance abuse among young people as the 2023 general elections draw near.

SSADASA's Executive Director, Mr. Godwin Bebiem, made the call at a one-day workshop on election, drugs, and violence in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the implications of drug abuse among young persons was massive, leading to increasing rate of violence before, during and after the elections in parts of the country.

"This workshop is to sensitize the youth, society, and the general public to the negative effects of drug abuse and electoral violence.

"We want a violence-free election, we want society to know that drug abuse is bad, and we want different levels of government to manage drug inflow into the country through the borders."

Bebiem noted that partnership with relevant stakeholders was an opportunity to advocate for the message of peace at all times and to end the menace of illicit drug use.

He, however, urged Nigerian youths to avoid drugs and substance abuse, eschew electoral violence, and be bold enough to report perpetrators of these abuses to the appropriate authorities.

The Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Bakut Bakut, said the prevalence of drug and substance abuse among Nigerian youths was worrisome.

According to him, the cankerworm has eaten deep into society, caused countless mental breakdowns, and now lives in virtually all parts of the country.

Bakut, represented by Dr. Mohammed Ndakogi, Director, Democracy IPCR, said it was a well-known fact that drug and substance abuse were potential threats to the peaceful conduct of elections.

This, he noted, should not be underrated at times when the nation is preparing for elections.

"Research has, over the years, shown that drugs and substance abuse are established triggers of electoral violence worldwide, and Nigeria is not an exception."

"The importance of this workshop program can never be overemphasized, especially as election-related violence has significantly hindered public participation and confidence in our electoral process."

"This is due to increased fear, panic, and disruption, as well as the destruction of electoral materials by individuals who are mostly under the influence of drugs."

"This, however, threatens our democracy and a peaceful transition of power."

The D-G called for the inclusion of academic institutions and rehabilitation centers in all campaigns against drug and substance-related violence.

He added that this would prevent potential abuses, recovery of victims and reintegrate them back to the society.

Dr. Ngozi Madubuike, Director, Drug Demand Reduction Directorate, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, said the 2018 Drug Use Survey showed that no fewer than 14.4 million Nigerians use drugs.

She said the NDLEA had been mandated by the Presidency in 2021 to collaborate towards ending illicit drug use.

According to her, civil society organizations have huge roles to play in reducing the menace of drug use among young people, as they are closest to the populace.

Madubuike, represented by Gbenga Owonubi, NDLEA Superintendent of Narcotics, noted the need to strengthen collaborations among critical stakeholders in the war against drug use.

The theme of the workshop is, `Reduction in Drug and Substance Abuse and Prevention of Violence in 2023 General Elections.'

Goodwill messages were received, among others, from the Open Society Initiative for West Africa, Connected Development, and the Kukah Center.