DRUG CONTROL: FG GETS UN PASS MARK

Lagos

The International Narcotic Control Board (INCB) has lauded the federal
government efforts in combating the drug menace since the inception of
democratic rule in 1999.

Presenting the INCB year 2003 report at a press briefing held at the United
Nations information centre, Ikeja, Lagos yesterday, the country
representative of United Nations office on Drug and Crimes in Nigeria, Mr.
Raul Salay stated that Nigeria has been playing a strategic role in the war
against drug trafficking through the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency
(NDLEA).

He disclosed that "majority of Nigerians are the one denting the image of
the country."

Nevertheless, he called on the President Obasanjo-led federal government to
further implement comprehensive drug demand reduction policies in order to
bring drug abuse to the minimum.

According to the country representative of UNODC in Nigeria, Mr. Salay
"paying special attention to drug abuse prevention in combination with a
change of social, economic and law enforcement measures.

"If the problem of drug-related violence is to be successfully combated
governments and the international community need to recognise the severity
of the problem, and grass root level interventions, including
community-based drug abuse prevention programmes and community policing are
critical," said the report.

The INCB report further added that "only with the introduction of a
comprehensive demand reduction programme will we see real progress being
made to address the multiple problems that illicit drugs inflict in their
committees."