A bill seeking to establish an institute for drug awareness and rehabilitation has passed second reading at the senate, but not without some opposition.
The bill passed second reading after Hanga Rufa’i, senator representing Kano central and its sponsor, lead a debate on the general principles of the legislation.
While leading the debate, Rufa’i said drug abuse has enabled crime in the country. “The objective of this bill is to raise awareness of drug abuse, drug trafficking and the rehabilitation of drug users,” he said.
But Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north, said instead of creating a new institution to achieve the objectives of the bill, the existing ones like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) should be strengthened.
“I have serious concerns, there is no disputing the fact that drug abuse has become a national challenge,” the former Edo governor said.
“As we speak we have NDLEA which not only prosecutes traffickers, takes care of the garmount of drug abuse. I think what we have to do is look at the existing law of NDLEA to see how we can strengthen It.
“But with this idea of setting up agencies for everything, we will soon have laws against cough. We are spending so much on overhead. I’m not convinced that we need another body to compete with NDLEA.”
Hussaini Uba, senator representing Jigawa north-west, also supported Oshiomhole’s position.
“Yesterday we were told that everyday new drugs are imported into Nigeria. I was shaken to my marrow when I was told that dry human fecal matter is turned to things to get high. We can look at the existing institutions to strengthen the matter,” Uba said.
However, the bill passed second reading when it was put to a voice vote by Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president.
