FG seeks end to stigma, discrimination against drug patients

The Federal Government has called for the need to address barriers to treatment for drug abuse patients such as stigma and discrimination so as to curb the menace in the interest of the well-being and development of Nigerians.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi made the call in his speech at the Ministerial Press Briefing to commemorate the 2023 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Monday in Abuja.

Adebiyi said, “While strengthening our healthcare system to proactively respond by providing healthcare services to those in need of treatment, there is also an obvious need to address barriers to treatment such as stigma and discrimination, as well as strengthen prevention efforts, early detection measures, and institutionalise essential harm reduction services to curb this menace in the interest of the wellbeing and development of our people.”

While speaking further, Adebiyi disclosed that Nigeria joined other UN Member States at the UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs (UNGASS 2016) to adopt the UNGASS 2016 Outcome Document which heralded a change in thinking in international drug policy that recognises recommendations for comprehensive harm reduction services and related measures, including prevention and treatment, as well as other health-related issues.

He explained that with this political declaration by Member States at UNGASS 2016, the Federal Ministry of Health in 2018 setup the National Technical Working Group (NTWG) on Harm Reduction Services in Nigeria to lead the implementation of three critical harm reduction services that focus on people who use drugs.

“In 2021, the Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with UNODC launched the 2021-2025 National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) during a side-event at the 64th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna.

“This 5 year strategic plan offers both a comprehensive and integrated approach to addressing a range of drug related issues by all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) working on drug control.”

“For us at the Federal Ministry of Health, we are paying special attention to the issue of drug use disorders and related health conditions as a major public health concern despite challenges.”

“The Ministry has therefore taken steps to tackle these issues, and these include, upgrading eleven hospitals as Model Drug Treatment Centres with the support of

the UNODC, across the six geo-political zones of the country in 2015, seven of which are designated as Regional Training Centres for drug dependence.

Adebiyi therefore said despite these achievements so far, for Nigeria to realise the full impact of these efforts, stopping stigma and discrimination while strengthening prevention, all stakeholders need to adequately consider raising awareness about the negative impact of stigma and discrimination on people who use drugs and their families.

“The review of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (2004) to recognise drug use and drug use disorders as a public health problem as well as decriminalising drug use in line with international best practices is imperative.”

“Raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS and hepatitis epidemics among people who use drugs and expand and strengthen HIV and hepatitis prevention programmes.”

“This will also require increasing funding for drug prevention, treatment, and care activities as well as strengthen action and cooperation among relevant stakeholders, among others.

Also, the Director of Food and Drug Services, Pharm Olubunmi Aribeana, reiterated that the focus of 2023 commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is to advocate for strengthened action and cooperation in addressing the world drug problem and provide up-to-date information on measures put in place by the Ministry with the support of relevant stakeholders to effectively curb the menace of drug abuse in Nigeria.

She said the 2018 National Drug Use Survey has provided statistically-sound and policy-relevant data on the extent and pattern of drug use to inform policy formulation and decision making.

“The report revealed that cannabis, followed closely by opioids were the most abused substances in Nigeria.”

Aribeana said in line with the theme of this year’s world drug day ‘People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention’ the Federal Ministry of Health earlier this month organized a capacity building workshop for officers from the Narcotics & Drug Abuse Division and the Drug Demand Reduction/Harm Reduction Unit of the Ministry on Drug Prevention, Treatment, and Care (DPTC) sensitization, as trainers with the needed skills to use evidence-based strategies for effective advocacy and awareness creation on drug prevention, treatment and care for law enforcement and the general population.

“Consequently, the Ministry is better positioned to design interventions to help drug users who face stigma and discrimination while promoting language and attitudes that are respectful and non-judgmental and empowering young people and communities to prevent drug use and addiction.”

“Effective collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Health and other organisations working on drug related activities will surely propel further gains in reversing the alarming statistics reported in the 2018 National Drug Use Survey.” She added.