By Ibironke Ariyo
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says it is supporting the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking to curtail the menace to the barest minimum.
The Acting Chairman, FCCPC, Dr Adamu Abdullahi gave the assurance when he received the Executive Director, Vanguard Against Drug Abuse (VGADA) Rehabilitation Centre, Dr. Hope Omeiza and his team on Thursday in Abuja.
Abdullahi expressed the willingness of the commission to enhance the impact of the significant efforts of the rehabilitation centre.
He said that advocacy against drug abuse was very important to the Commission saying that the FCCPC was a consumer protection body, hence the need to campaign against illicit drug use.
He also said that the efforts of the VGADA rehabilitation centre needed to receive a boost to support its onerous task of drug prevention, treatment and Care in Nigeria.
The FCCPC boss said that substance abuse was beyond just illicit drugs saying that it was also due, apart from alcohol, also tobacco was a bigger problem.
According to him, Consumer protection is what we do, day in, day out and that goes beyond just the normal day to day abuses that consumers face, regards service providers and manufacturing companies.
“Beyond that, we also have to fight for consumers on issues of drug abuse or substance abuse come into effect.
“On behalf of the Commission we want to reconfirm our support to the work of this rehabilitation centre. It is extremely important, this is coming at a time where the challenges are more complex, “he said.
Abdullahi lamented on the issue of sachet alcohol saying that the commission had fought along with National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to curtail it.
This, he said was because it makes alcohol available to the younger generation, as it was more affordable and accessible.
“So we fought against it in the long run.
“I wouldn’t say it’s over yet, because we would have to continue from where we stopped and that is why we are supporting this campaign against drug abuse, “he said.
The FCCPC boss advocated the need for collaboration with the private sector to make the fight against drug abuse far-reaching.
He also called on relevant stakeholders to make concerted efforts towards ending drug abuse among youths in the country so as to prepare them for employability, entrepreneurship as future leaders.
Earlier, Dr Hope Omeiza stressed that VGADA rehabilitation centre had put in place a strong mechanism to raise public awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
This, he said was through the forthcoming National Youth Conference with the theme “the youths, drug, mental health and Nigeria’s future on June 28, 2024.
Omeiza said that the conference was to commemorate the International Day against Drug abuse and Illicit trafficking celebrated globally every June 26.
He added that VGADA rehab center was providing treatment and counselling to drug users in two different Centers in Jabi and Galadimawa, Abuja respectively through which over 500 persons have be counselled and treated so far.
“This is why your support to our good work today affords us the opportunity to share with you some of the things you can use your good office and the huge platform to facilitate to enhance what we are doing and plan to achieve,” he said.
The National Youth Conference event aim to address the pressing issues of drug abuse, mental health challenges, and their impact on the future of Nigerian youth.
The conference will feature a 4-day training program to be hosted in the FCT, Abuja with planned arrival and departure dates of Tuesday, June 25 and Saturday, June 29 respectively and a symposium to hold on Friday, June 28.
The aims and objectives of the conference are to train and inaugurate five youths anti-drug abuse advocates per state through a co-ordinated process of selection.
