CADAM Seeks End to Drug Abuse

As drug supply and demand increases in Nigeria, the need to tackle the menace through evidence-based strategy rather than punitive measures adopted by various regulatory agencies in the country has been emphasised.

This was the views of Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry (CADAM), a faith-based NGO under the auspices of the Redeemed Christian Church of God as one in seven persons aged 15 to 64 had used a drug compared to the global average of one to 20.

Speaking in Lagos, yesterday, during a walk to mark the 2021 World Drug Day with the theme, ‘Share the Facts on Drug’, the Director-General, CADAM, Dokun Adedeji, said it was time the nation reviewed its modalities on fighting the drug scourge to save lives.

He said governments needed to step up their game by living up to their responsibility of providing healthcare support for people with drug use disorder.

According to him, evidence-based Prevention programs should be developed and implemented at all levels of Government so as to reach the otherwise unreached populations in the rural area.

Adedeji, however, stressed the need for enforcement agencies to be well equipped and trained on how to mitigate the rise in international drug trade, while noting that, “All approaches should be geared towards promoting better public health outcomes.

“The growth in global drug supply and demand poses a great challenge to law enforcement, compounds health risks and complicates efforts to prevent and treat drug use disorders. More people are using drugs, and there are more drugs, and more types of drugs, than ever before.”