House of Representatives has urged Federal Government to initiate a national policy on drug abuse.
This is sequel to a motion by a member from Imo State, Henry Nwawuba, on the urgent need to sensitize Nigerians on the danger and widespread use of the drug Chrystal Meth on Youths.
The lawmaker stated that the drug was highly addictive capable of destroying a person’s mentality.
He expressed concern that many homes, especially in the South-East were currently facing the dangers and effects of the drug.
According to Nwawuba, 75% of the users in Nigeria have now become a burden to their families and communities.
The lawmaker revealed that since 1990, the production of Chrystal Meth had been hijacked by Mexican drug dealers who set up laboratories in Nigeria for the production of the drug.
Contributing to the debate, Deputy minority leader of the House, Mr Toby Okechukwu, stressed the need for the engagement of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to see how the agency can be assisted in tackling the problem.
On his part, a member from Anambra State, Linda Ikpeazu, argued that if the menace is not stopped early, the country is going to have a Zombie society in the next ten years.
Other members who contributed during the debate advocated for a Marshal plan that would involve stakeholders in the society to address the menace.
Adopting the motion, the House Deputy Speaker, Ahmad Idris Wase, mandated NDLEA to re-strategize on its enforcement and enlightenment capacity to cover the mode and cure for the Meth addiction, which has no medical treatment at the moment.
SALIHU TSIBIRI