Date: 2017-12-19

Today, members of the Nigerian Senate were in Kano where they hosted a Roundtable on the Drug Use Crisis in Nigeria (#SenateTacklesDrugAbuse).

These are highlights from the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki's speech:

1. WE ARE HERE TO WAKE THE NATION

"We are here to wake the nation to the insidious threat of drug abuse, which has, for too long, been the unacknowledged enemy within for us as Nigerians. The time has come to look that enemy in the face and say – Enough. And by your standing up to be counted at this Roundtable, it is clear that you share the sense of alarm over this issue and recognise the urgent need to do something about it."

2. FUTURE GENERATIONS ARE ALREADY ENDANGERED

"Of late, my distinguished colleagues and I in the 8th Senate have become increasingly alarmed at the drug abuse epidemic sweeping through Nigerian communities, posing an existential threat to the very fabric of society. The scourge has been of a particularly virulent nature, touching all social strata and afflicting families and young lives. Women and girls are particularly susceptible, married or not. Not even nursing mothers are spared; and future generations are already endangered by the spectre of drug abuse, even while unborn."

3. THE GOAL IS TO OPEN A DISCUSSION

"The goal of this Roundtable is to open a discussion involving: key policy makers, the legislature, enforcement and regulatory agencies, community leaders, civil society organisations, professional groups, care givers as well as victims – people who are involved on a daily basis in dealing with the challenge."

4. THE TOLL ON LIVES IS DIFFICULT

"Clearly, something is seriously wrong in our society if so many people can become so desperately at the mercy of rampant substance abuse that shows no sign of abating, in spite of a whole roster of agencies with the responsibility to regulate the production and use of dangerous drugs – and to stop their illegal distribution. The toll on lives and livelihoods alone is difficult to estimate; and it is manifested daily in the wrecked lives of individuals, damaged families and distorted economies. The stark reality is that so many Nigerians are but shadows of their former selves. This is intolerable – as is the very dangerous interplay between dirty money and drug importation, distribution and abuse. This must stop."

5. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION

"To kick-start the process of bringing this epidemic under some control, we need to inquire into the strengths and weaknesses of the current policy and its implementation - as well as to understand the ways in which legislation and advocacy might improve. Similarly, we need to take a frank and comprehensive look at our agencies in charge of fighting the epidemic, to better understand where their strengths and weaknesses lie, in order to be able to take remedial measures to strengthen them."

6. WE CAN TRIGGER A MOMENTUM

"This Roundtable is intended to allow all stakeholders access into discussions on the nature of the problem, as well as solutions that need to be put in place. It must be emphasised that the key objective of the Roundtable is not the Roundtable itself. Rather, the Roundtable is expected to trigger a momentum that should resonate in individual lives, families and communities, that the drug abuse culture represents a very serious threat to lives, the economy and national security."

7. WE CAN SEND A CRUCIAL MESSAGE

"I feel sure that by the end of this first Roundtable, we would have sent that crucial message to every corner of Nigeria - that drug abuse represents everything that is against our values as a decent society. We will no longer stand for this scourge which is destroying the social structures of our beloved country. It is time to say: Enough. Let us wake the nation."