Nigeria can effectively fight against drug abuse if measures are put in place to reduce the supply and demand of illicit drugs.
Experts stated this at a one day summit in Kaduna on the need to curb illicit drugs in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
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Latest estimate of global drug use from the United Nation Office of Drug and Crime ranks Nigeria highest with 14.4 per cent which is significantly higher than the global average of 5.5 per cent with most of those who abuse drugs young people.
It is this disturbing statistics, that informed the summit in Kaduna to address drug abuse among students in tertiary institutions across the country.
Speakers at the event agreed that there is an urgent need to reduce the demand and supply chain of illicit drugs to enable Nigeria succeed in the fight against drug abuse.
Others said there is a strong connection between drug abuse and insecurity hence the need to support government efforts to check the menace in Nigeria.
The summit also called for the establishment of drug Demand Reduction Agency with a view to curbing illicit drugs and their usage in Nigeria.
(Editor: Omor Bazuaye)