In spite of the many dissenting voices, the bill to tackle drug abuse in the country, scaled second reading.
Sen. Sumaila Kawu (NNPP, Kano South) has queried his colleagues alleging that they may have contributed heavily and supported the promotion of drug abuse in their constituencies.
This is as he called on those who claim to not be guilty of supporting drug abuse to swear before the chamber to prove their innocence.
Kawu interrogated his colleagues during a debate on a bill seeking to establish a national institute for drug awareness and rehabilitation to coordinate and promote drug awareness, prevent substance abuse and facilitate the rehabilitation of drug users during Tuesday’s plenary.
Speaking during the debate Kawu asserted that every politician must be subjected to drug tests before vying for office.
He said, “Can anyone here swear that they are not in any way in support of a drug-abusing or intoxicating youth in their constituency to take drugs.
“We need to create a space where before contesting elections or before taking appointments at whatever position in government, we must go for drug test.
“As I am speaking now, most of our political officers in our constituencies, most of our houses when you go there, you will find out that there is a mountain of drugs and I can take you to some of the political leaders who are in so many ways contributing or supporting drug addictions in Nigeria, therefore, Mr. President, we need to be serious.
“If we are judging, we need to understand that we are all one man here,” he added.
However, a number of senators backed the bill sponsored by Sen. Rufai Hanga (NNPP, Kano Central), arguing that the establishment of the institute was prompted by the high record of drug abuse in the country.
READ ALSO: Senate approves death penalty for drug traffickers
Senators Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo north) and Gbenga Daniel (APC, Ogun east) argued that creating another institution for the purpose of preventing drug abuse and facilitating rehabilitation of drug users would amount to overlapping duplicity of functions with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
On his part, Sen. Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) pleaded with his colleagues to permit the second reading of the bill due to its importance in the country.
“Our nation, in addition to several other problems, is currently faced with a national crisis of narcotics. We have a narcotic crisis at the family level, at community levels, in our world, at local governments, and states all across the world.
“Because of the importance of the subject matter, let us not dismiss this bill or abort it at this stage. Let us at least at this level agree in general principle that there is need to strengthen the mechanism for enforcement and pass this bill so that at the committee level, in the presence of all the stakeholders and in particular the NDLEA, the ministry of justice and then the other related agencies, they can now brainstorm and if possible rework the proposal.”
Sen. Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno north) also lamented over the rising use of drug abuse, stressing that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were created to tackle problems that has eaten deep into the fabric of the society.
Other lawmakers who contributed to the bill, supported the second reading. In spite of the many dissenting voices, the bill was put to a voice vote by the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin which subsequently led to its second reading.
The bill was thereafter referred to the committee on drugs and narcotics to report back in 4 weeks.
