Today is International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, set aside to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and its unlawful trading across the globe.

The day reiterates the goal of making a drug abuse free international society through continued and concerted efforts from all the stakeholders be it governments, NGOs or individuals.

The theme for the Day is “Listen First”, which highlights that “Listening to children and youth is the first step to support and help them so that they grow safe and healthy”.

According to President Women Arise, Joe Okey-Odumakin, it is an initiative to prevent the usage of drugs and make an effective investment for the well being of children, youth, families, and communities.

Okey-Odumakin, a Human Right Activist urged parents, and religious organisations to support stakeholders in the effort to prevent youths from engaging in drug abuse and trafficking.

She condenmed stigmatisation on drug users saying it makes the victim shy away from help, describing it as being bad or having a situation to be ashamed of.

According to her, the effect it has on the victims are; they fear to come out, delay in seeking necessary help, self-stigmatization and this generates into low self-esteem.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal blamed the prevalence of drug abuse on parents, saying the issue of drug abuse had been a major problem

Edgal who feels that there was need to declare a state of emergency on drug abuse, said societal values were gone, saying family was supposed to be a platform upon which every other thing grows but if that family influence was missing, one end up being vulnerable to crime.

According to him, religious leaders should also dedicate time to tell the people evils of drug abuse, saying it was only a sane society that listens to spiritual message.

He said four out of every ten young persons would be involved in drug, if nothing was done, urging other security agencies to embrace sensitisation saying their duty should not be limited to enforcement.

Chief Executive Officer of Bulwark Intelligence, Tanwa Ashiru said it was important to change society’s approach to fighting drug abuse and trafficking at community level before changing the narrative.

Ashiru, a United States Air Force Veteran, said Nigerians often celebrate bad things, stressing that there was need to engage with communities in fighting illegal use of drugs in the society.

According to her, there was need to focus on changing the way communities view and respond to the troika of drug abuse, cultism and crime and the government must lead the campaign by walking the talk as their little efforts can at least put Nigerians in the right frame of mind.

Ashiru said it was therefore imperative for all to engage the country’s youths, representing over fifty percent and the most active part of the Nigeria’s over one hundred and eighty million population on the dangers of drugs, cultism and crimes to themselves and the society at large.

President of Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria, Sunday Odita said by listening to the needs of children and young people, prevention can contribute to their safety, health and well-being, and enable them realise their potential.

Odita said all societies would be better off, if more resources were devoted to supporting evidence-based drug prevention strategies, which were a sound and effective investment in families, schools and communities.

According to him, the fight against drug abuse should not be left to agencies alone as everyone needs to join in the advocacy, saying victims of drug abuse should be shown love and encouragement as they are fighting a battle within themselves.

A legal practitioner, also a guest lecturer at the event, Sarah Ene said the children were exposed to so much information on social media. She urged parents to limit their children’s use of social media.

A survivor of drug abuse, Tosin Olaoluwa, who shared his experience at the event said that he started taking alcohol and drugs casually when he started Senior Secondary School, saying he joined a cult group in his first year at the university.

Olaoluwa said he dropped out eventually because he could not continue due to the instability of his mind, saying he was helpless but found succour in God.

They both spoke at the third annual Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria seminar on World Day Against Drug And Human Trafficking, themed; Stop The Stigmatisation Of Ex-Drug Users And Victims Of Human Trafficking.