A bill on institute for drug awareness scales second reading

By Ibrahim Umar,

Kanempress News,

16th, October,2024

A bill to establish institute for drug awareness has scaled second reading.

The Senate passed the bill after a debate on the general principles of a bill for an act to establish a National for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation.

This is to coordinate and promote drug awareness, prevent substance abuse and facilitate the rehabilitation of drug users.

A number of lawmakers backed the bill sponsored by Senator Rufai Hanga from Kano Central, arguing that the establishment of the Institute is in the first instance informed by the high record of substance abuse in Nigeria.

Although other lawmakers argued that creating another institution for the purpose of preventing drug abuse and facilitating rehabilitation of drug users would amount to overlapping and duplicity of functions with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Others hinged their arguments on the rapid improvement and awareness the agency would bring to the protracted challenge.