Senator Ned Nwoko has declared strong support for the bill, now before the Senate, for an Act to establish the National Institute on Drugs Awareness and Rehabilitation.
Speaking at a one-day public hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Nwoko maintained that Nigeria’s current drug response framework lacked the institutional capacity to tackle the country’s growing addiction crisis.
He allayed fears from some stakeholders who that the proposed institute might duplicate the functions of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“The gap in our current drug response framework is glaring,” Nwoko said. “NDLEA’s focus is largely enforcement and interdiction, but what about sustained rehabilitation, grassroots awareness, school outreach, and long-term reintegration?”
The bill, sponsored by Senator Rufai Hanga, seeks to create a dedicated body focused solely on drug awareness, rehabilitation, and reintegration programs. It comes amid increasing calls from civil society and health professionals for a more comprehensive approach to drug control.
Nwoko, who has previously sponsored his own bill to establish a National Centre for Substance Abuse Management in Ndemili, Delta State, said the need for focused intervention had been echoed by stakeholders at all levels, including youth-led organizations.
“During my recent visit home, a student-led NGO approached me with a draft bill on the same issue. That’s proof that the need is urgent and widely recognized”, he noted.
He praised Senator Hanga’s leadership on the matter and urged his colleagues in the Senate to move forward decisively.
“We must act with clarity and courage. Drug abuse rehabilitation requires its own institutional framework”, Nwoko said.
Senator Nwoko emphasized that grassroots feedback had reinforced the urgency of addressing drug addiction with sustainable, community-focused solutions.
The Senate resumed this week after a recess during which lawmakers engaged with constituents across the country.
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