As Nigeria joins rest of the world to commemorate International Day against Drug Abuse and Trafficking, the Grassroots Solidarity Group, GSG, has called on the government and society to upscale interventions to prevent drug abuse and trafficking across the country.

The call was made by the Director General, GSG, Ebriku John Friday, in a statement to mark the Day with the theme ''The evidence is clear: Invest in prevention', where Friday pointed out causes of the rise in drug abuse and trafficking including poor parenting, peer pressure, cultism, armed robbery, the crave for dominance, and others.

He said the damage can be controlled by strong, soft and simple approaches of the government and relevant organisations in collaboration with the civil society organisations and donor organisations.

He said: “The theme of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Trafficking, ‘The evidence is clear: Invest in prevention', and this theme is very apt and timely based on the worrisome dimension drug abuse and promotion have taken amongst our young people whom we cherish so much.

“We should also move holistically and be pragmatic to solve this challenge as we commemorate this all important World Drug Day by passionately investing in halting the menace among our very important segment in the society, the youth.

“We are to first cherish our youth by showing concern about their well-being; We also need to step up awareness campaign with strong synergy for a sustainable and result oriented campaign; We are to call on the leaders of various Student Union Governments in our tertiary institutions for a roundtable talk with action on their recommendations; We are to seriously engaged parents in our communities by making them understand the responsibility they have to raise their children, we are also to give them support to ensure they don't fail in their responsibility in raise their children properly.

“It is very important that our schools from primary school to tertiary institutions run a course on drug abuse that would lead to certification.

“We are to ensure the youth themselves lead the fight and campaign against drug abuse with strong support from both development partners, private sector and Government agencies at both Federal, State and Local Government levels.

“There should be a better approach to the style of rehabilitation given to the youth affected by drug abuse by showing genuine empathy, love and care.”

In conclusion, the GSG boss said, “The International Day against Drug Abuse and Trafficking 2024, the UNODC calls for increased awareness. Drug abuse continues to be a significant threat to global health and social well-being. We need to amplify and highlight the urgency to address the issue of drug abuse.”