President Bola Tinubu yesterday warned against the social and structural stigmatization of drug use victims.
According to him, this prevents the victims from accessing needed care and support.
The President spoke as chairman of MTN Foundation, Julius Adelusi- Adeluyi, advised that the issue of drug abuse be tackled as a national emergency.
Speaking on the occasion of the celebration of the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Tinubu expressed his endorsement of the theme of the celebration which is “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.”
He said the theme stressed the imperative to prioritize the well-being and dignity of individuals affected by drug abuse, recognize their inherent worth and the importance of providing them with effective prevention and treatment interventions.
He said: “We could not agree less with the importance of this theme now that the most vulnerable population, especially women, young people, people living in marginalized environments, high-risk drug users, people displaced by armed conflicts or natural disasters and people in rural settings, are exposed to stigma, discrimination and exclusion from mainstream opportunities.
“These groups often face barriers in accessing the healthcare and social services within the society in addressing their drug use problems. ‘’Therefore, interventions to address drug use and its associated consequences need to be mindful of the fundamental rights of every individual.
“Stigma both social and structural, which continues to affect people who use drugs and implicated as one of the most common barriers to access support and services must be removed.”
The president noted that educating the citizenry on the dangers of drug abuse and the need to stop stigma and discrimination were crucial, calling for support for those affected.
He added: “We must empower our youth with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about their lives, and provide victims to drug abuse with the resources they need to avoid falling victims of drug abuse.