CERANY commends Nigerian Senate for National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation Bill

The Centre for Ethical Rebirth Among Nigerian Youths (CERANY) received with delight news of the proposed Bill for the establishment of a National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation, which passed second reading on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

CERANY has, with the benefit of over twenty-three (23) years of active interventions in the areas of anti-drug abuse awareness campaigns, advocacy and counselling, consistently argued that the drug war can only be won when prevention is prioritized and drug demand reduction given as much attention as drug supply reduction.

The drug market exists and thrives simply because demand has been the constant (k) in the mix; which, in turn, sustains the supply chain. Therefore, with the right awareness campaigns, demand will be curtailed with obvious adverse consequences on supply – in line with our legitimate quest for a drug-free society.

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It is against the foregone background that CERANY wishes to commend the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for realizing the imperative of setting up an institute that is conceived to superintend this flank of the war on drugs and effectively complement the commendable efforts of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

What this means is that NDLEA would now be able to fully focus on its enforcement mandate whilst the proposed Institute takes charge of public enlightenment for drug abuse prevention and rehabilitation. With this heartening development, CERANY looks forward to a robust and more inclusive review of our National Drug Control Master Plan in 2025.

Signed:
Chuks Akamadu Esq. FIMC, M.IoD, MINM, MNIPR, MNIMN, MITPN, CMC
National President
16/10/24