Date: 2017-10-03

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has vowed to tackle the menace of drug abuse among youths in Nigeria through legislation.

Dr Saraki took to his twitter handle @BukolaSaraki to express grave worry about the spate of addiction by youths, especially in the northern part of Nigeria.

The Senate President promised to engage all stakeholders to ensure that the menace of drug abuse in Nigeria was mitigated.

"I am particularly worried about the drug menace in the Northern part of the country. It is time that we recognise this problem and address it in a sensible manner.

"I will be pushing for the National Assembly to review all relevant laws on drug abuse. This will help to curb the widespread misuse of illegal and unsanitary substances," he said in his tweets, adding that the Senate will engage with all relevant stakeholders as we initiate this process.

Dr Saraki while also reacting to a report by Linda Ikeji's Blog said that he had directed a team to take a look at the report on drug abuse and come up with an all encompassing synopsis on Abuse of drugs across Nigeria.

"The Senate President has directed that the team should come up with an all encompassing synopsis on Abuse of drugs across Nigeria; effects and ways in curbing the Menace in our society.

"The team will go through the LIB Special Report and meet with different stakeholders to address this, as you are aware, the Senate President is a man of his words and in no time, this promise will be fulfilled," he said.

Recently, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo arrested 67 persons for allegedly trafficking various drugs in the state.

The Commander of the agency, Buba Wakawa told newsmen that the suspects that comprised 47 males and 20 females were arrested in various parts of the state between July and August.

He also disclosed that suspected illicit drugs totalling about 779.572 kilogrammes were seized within the period.