In a move that further crowds up the governance architecture, the Nigerian Senate is about to pass a bill establishing a National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation.
The bill, first introduced on May 29, 2024, is designed to enhance drug awareness, curb substance abuse, and provide rehabilitation services for drug users across the country.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation, to Coordinate and Promote Drug Awareness, Prevent Substance Abuse, and Facilitate the Rehabilitation of Drug Users and for Related Matters, 2024 (SB. 449),” is sponsored by Senator Sani Rufa’i, representing Kano Central.
In his presentation, Senator Rufa’i highlighted the importance of the bill, stating that it would strengthen ongoing programs aimed at drug awareness and provide much-needed support to combat the increasing drug crisis.
According to the senator, the institute will serve as a key platform to address the pressing challenges of substance abuse in Nigeria and offer structured rehabilitation to users.
The bill received widespread backing from other senators, including Abdul Ningi, Adamu Alero, and Peter Nwebonyi, who all spoke in favor of its swift passage. They emphasized the need for urgent action to tackle drug addiction, citing its direct link to rising crime rates, banditry, and insecurity in the country.
The lawmakers also called for more stringent penalties, even suggesting that drug abuse should be treated as a capital offense.
After deliberations, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, which has been tasked with reviewing the proposal and reporting back to the Senate in four weeks.
