UNODC is cosponsor of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS - UNAIDS
Nigeria Country Profile
Programme on Prevention and Reduction of Drug abuse
Objective
To reduce the incidence and prevalence of drug abuse in Nigeria through enhancing the capacity for treatment and rehabilitation (T&R) facilities, social integration, human resource development, capacity building and participation of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), integrated interventions and focus on young persons.
Issues to be addressed
Limited capacity for T&R and social integration, nascent NGO demand reduction activities, upgrading of training programmes for drug control personnel and the emergent problem of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS, and the peculiar vulnerability of youth to drug abuse problem.
UNDCP Response
Support facility and community-based rehabilitation of drug persons and PLWA, increase Preventive Drug Education (PDE) for the youth in the urban and rural communities, tertiary educational institutions, Prisons and other catchments as the hotels/brothels.
Support youth recreation through community-based sports, drama and music activities.
Planned Activities Project:
AD/NIR/00/F22
5 National projects
Strengthening Treatment and Rehabilitation Facilities for Drug Abusers and Enhancing Social Integration of Persons at Risk of Drug Abuse.
Strengthening Non-Governmental Organizations and Human Resource Development in Drug Demand Reduction.
Sustainable Institutional and Community-based Partnership for Integrated Drug Abuse and HIV/AIDS Prevention.
Integrated Drug Abuse and HIV/AIDS Prevention for Street Youth and Commercial Sex Workers.
Support for Community-based Sports and 'Enter-Educate' Initiative for the Youth in Focal Rural and Urban Areas.
Justification
The reports of rapid situation assessments of drug abuse in Nigeria show a picture of widespread consumption of cannabis, followed by psychotropic substances and to a lesser extent heroin and cocaine in both the urban and rural areas. The age of first use and pattern of abuse confirm that young persons aged 10-29 years are the most vulnerable. There has been an established linkage between drug abuse and HIV/AIDS through heterosexual sexual activities and Injecting Drug Users (IDU). Presently, Nigeria has attained 5.4% prevalence rate in HIV /AIDS, which is an epidemiological threshold to explosive epidemic. The highest prevalence is among young persons aged 19-24 years, which indicates recent massive increases.
Due to economic downturns, the government lacks the resources to support relevant demand reduction initiatives and has provided limited assistance to the NGOs. The existing training programmes for drug abuse personnel and training have not been professionalized, while the skeletal DDR activities lack the community-based approach which has proved to be cost effective and convenient in the rehabilitation and social reinsertion of drug abuse persons.
Hence, UNDCP will support the efforts of the government, NGOs and training institutions to strengthen the social integration of persons at risk of drug abuse and the rehabilitation of drug abuse persons in the T&R facilities and in the communities. In addition, this programme will upgrade the training programme of personnel to a professional level.
