By Ibrahim Aliyu, Staff Reporter
Some stakeholders in the fight against the menace of drug abuse have advocated for the need to put in place enabling laws that would make it mandatory to administer drug tests on every individual, particularly in public workplaces. This is part of an effort to curb the menace of drug abuse and to ensure a drug-free society.
The stakeholders made this call at a public lecture titled, "Drugs, Youths, and Crimes," organized by the Zonal Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency in Kaduna.
Pastor James Wuye of the Kaduna Interfaith Mediation Centre, who was at the forefront in yearning for the abrogation of drug testing laws in workplaces, opined that having such laws would pave the way for the entrenchment of a drug- and crime-free society.
According to him, bringing on board such regulations would go a long way in complementing government efforts at different quarters in tackling some possible tendencies of instigating political and ethno-religious violence. He also called for a more robust and constructive collaboration between government agencies and the clergy to achieve better results against the scourge of drug abuse in the country.
In his remarks at the event, Chief Imam of the Sultan Bello Mosque Kaduna, Sheikh Mohammed Adam Sulaiman, said the desired result of stamping out the menace of drug abuse once and for all could not be achieved but can be reduced through a move towards stronger collaboration between the clergy and relevant agencies involved in the fight against the menace in society.
As part of his recommendations on possible ways to stem the tide of drug abuse, particularly among youths and students, a guest speaker at the occasion, Barrister Abdul Momodu, who serves as former Deputy Commander General in charge of Narcotics at the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, emphasized the need for the strengthening of student drug-free clubs, readers' clubs, and sporting clubs in schools across the country.
He also advocated for Local Government drug abuse committees to synergize with the NDLEA for a purposeful and result-oriented approach to drug abuse and to safeguard the health of the populace against the menace and related issues.
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