International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

2023 THEME:  “People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention” 

We in the Association of Christian Counsellors of Nigeria agree with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) that the issue about drug abuse is about people and that taking “a people-centered approach to drug policies, with a focus on human rights, compassion, and evidence-based practices” should be primary. The fight against drug abuse and trafficking should be people first and should remain people centered.

Many years ago, there was a young man in our village who got so much addicted to substance abuse that it was thought that he could never be free. He was indeed hooked. He was a very bright child in our school (an “A” student), it was the lifestyle of addiction that affected his education so much that he dropped out of school. His health was not spared because it got so deteriorated that the tip of his finger nails could easily be torn off without a nail cutter. Unfortunately for him, there were no drug counselling or treatment places at the time and for him, there was no need for such a place as life without drugs never existed. It was the repeated encounters he had with some itinerant Christian preachers that greatly helped him but it was a long journey from substance abuse to freedom and recovery from addiction. We know today, that it was the grace of God that saved him.

We totally agree with the aim of this year’s theme and carried awareness campaigns to schools, business centers, and the media. We believe that the victim of drug abuse is a human being deserving of respect and support and should be accorded his/her fundamental human rights. According to the UNODC, this year’s campaign is a call to:

• Raise awareness about the negative impact of stigma and discrimination on people who use drugs and their families.
• Raise awareness about the AIDS and hepatitis epidemics among people who use drugs and expand and strengthen HIV and hepatitis prevention programmes.
• Promote evidence-based, voluntary services for all people who use drugs.
• Educate about drug use disorders, available treatments and the importance of early intervention and support.
• Advocate for alternatives to imprisonment for drug-related crimes, such as community-based treatment and services.
• Combat stigma and discrimination by promoting language and attitudes that are respectful and non-judgmental.
• Empower young people and communities to prevent drug use and addiction.

For more information on this year’s UN day on Drug Abuse and trafficking, go to:  https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/drugs/index-new.html

AWARENESS PROGRAMME IN PICTURES 

Neighborhood Drug Abuse awareness campaign at the Sunnyvale Estate, Dakwo District of the FCT, Abuja, Nigeria.

Neighborhood Drug Abuse awareness campaign at the Sunnyvale Estate, Dakwo District of the FCT, Abuja, Nigeria.

Drug Abuse awareness campaign at the UTC Shopping Complex, Area 10, Garki, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria.

26th June 2023. The school counselor at GSS Kwali, Abuja, Nigeria creating Drug Abuse awareness during the morning general assembly to mark the International day against drug Abuse and Illicit trafficking (Ref: CASSON FCT).

SAY NO TO DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING!!!!🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤

Drug Abuse and Trafficking awareness organized at the Destiny Christian Academy, The Lord’s Garden, Airport Road, Abuja, Nigeria in commemoration of the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. June 26th 2023 (Ref: CASSON FCT).

Sensitization program on Drug Abuse, prevention and way forward by the school Counsellor at the Junior Secondary School, Orozo FCT, Abuja, Nigeria on 26th June 2023 in commemoration of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (Ref: CASSON FCT).

Sensitization program on Drug Abuse, prevention and way forward by the school Counsellor at the Junior Secondary School, Orozo FCT, Abuja, Nigeria (Ref: CASSON FCT).