The Representative, Nigerian Youth Parliament for Lagos Central Senatorial District, Mr Abdulmumin Edidi, has urged the Federal Government to establish counseling units, specifically dedicated to drug abuse at primary healthcare centers.
Edidi gave the advice during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, October 28, in Lagos.
He hinted that the establishment of such units would assist the federal government in curbing the issue of drug abuse at the grassroots level.
According to him, these units will play a vital role in counseling individuals about the harmful effects of drug use on society and enlightening them on how to resist and prevent drug abuse.
He said it would also involve focusing on the grassroots level, particularly by educating parents.
However, Edidi noted that the counseling units would raise awareness and ensure that the message reaches the broader community.
“It is really important for the government to establish and strengthen these units at primary healthcare centers to ensure this menace is tackled properly,” he stated.
Edidi recommended rehabilitating drug users instead of sentencing them to prison, saying imprisonment often worsen their situation.
He added that stiffer penalties should be handled out to drug traffickers, noting that such action would help in curbing the activities of traffickers.
“It is extremely important that when drug users are caught, they should be given the rehabilitation needed.
“Rehabilitation is needed in situations like that. It will change their orientation and mindset in the usage of drugs. This, in turn, will help them become better persons in society.
“Dishing out prison sentences to them would only make them become worse. There is also a high chance of them mixing with the wrong crowd which would worsen their situation,” he added.
