In a startling revelation, Dr Martins Agwogie, an expert in drugs and narcotics, expressed concern over the unintended consequences of the government’s sweeping ban on dangerous substances.
Speaking at the inaugural stakeholders’ summit on drug abuse prevention and control in Ilorin, Kwara State, Agwogie disclosed a disturbing trend among drug addicts.
He revealed that, in their desperation for alternatives, addicts are now resorting to cemeteries, where they exhume corpses and grind their bones for sniffable concoctions.
“Drug addicts have started going to the cemetery to exhume corpses, grind their bones, and sniff,” Agwogie stated during his keynote address.
While acknowledging the need to address drug abuse as a social menace, he condemned the blanket ban on substances, arguing that it failed to consider those requiring medications for legitimate reasons.
Despite commending the efforts of agencies like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Agwogie called for a shift in responsibility.
He urged state governments to strengthen their local drug abuse control committees, emphasizing the need to avoid over-reliance on law enforcement agencies.
Ms Rinsola Abiolac, Special Assistant to the President on citizenship and leadership, echoed the concern, calling for increased cooperation from state governments.
She urged the creation of more rehabilitation centers, seeking dedicated partnerships with state authorities to combat the escalating drug abuse crisis.
Bashir Ibrahim, the Commander of Narcotics in the NDLEA Kwara State office, shared alarming statistics, revealing that his team seized 1.8 tons of banned substances in 2023.
As the nation grapples with this complex issue, the call for a united front against drug abuse becomes more urgent than ever.
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