FG Urged to Declare Emergency on Drug Abuse Crisis

Dr. Adekunle Adeshina has called for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on drug abuse during a program titled "Fly Above High" held in Abuja.

He emphasized the need for a multi-agency response involving the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to tackle the crisis. Adeshina advocated for the inclusion of appropriate drug education in the national curriculum for children aged eight to ten and stressed the importance of early intervention to reduce long-term health and economic burdens.

He urged the government to allocate funds for early-stage counseling services and to implement stricter prescription monitoring and regulations. Hajiya Salamatu Farouq Yahaya highlighted the role of family support in recovery, while Dr.

Samuel Abah called for stronger enforcement of regulatory agencies and expanded access to rehabilitation centers. The overall message was to treat substance abuse as a chronic medical condition rather than a moral failing.