The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Nigeria introduced a "whole-of-society approach" as part of its social advocacy initiative. This involves raising "awareness across all levels" within society about "the dangers of abusing illicit substances," Femi Babafemi, Director for Media and Advocacy at Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, tells Sputnik Africa in an interview.
"Some people indeed are struggling with this problem, and they actually need treatment, but because of the fear of being judged and stigmatized, they cannot come out publicly to own up and seek help. So for this set of people, the agency has also gone ahead to set up a drug abuse call center, through which people can seek treatment right from the comfort of their homes," he explains.
Insightful remarks from the following experts provided valuable perspectives during the episode:
Dr. Lina Sebolaisi Hlahla of the Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa. She discussed the intricacies of substance abuse, examining its underlying causes, its impact on mental health, and the vital importance of educated community and healthcare interventions in effectively addressing drug addiction.
Ediomo-Ubong Nelson, Research Associate at the Global Drug Policy Observatory in Swansea and the Centre for Research and Information on Substance Abuse in Nigeria. He stressed the necessity of implementing drug policies founded on strong evidence and the importance of employing multifaceted approaches, integrating prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and international efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking effectively.
To find out what else our guests had to say, tune in to the African Currents podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
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