SENATE INITIATES 2 BILLS TO FIGHT DRUG ABUSE

The statement added that, It also criminalizes the diversion, distribution or otherwise dispensing of controlled substances without a prescription or license, while on mental health bill, it noted that, in recognition of the fact that psychosocial issues are the key drivers for the abuse of psychoactive substance, the Bill was crafted to ensure that standard facilities are available in every state to provide mental health and substance abuse services.

The proposed law guarantees the protection of the rights of people with mental illness and stipulates that mental health practitioners and facilities no longer engage in practices that are harmful to people with mental health and substance use disorders.

In recognizing the low number of mental health practitioners in the country with the ratio of practitioners at one psychiatrist to 1.6 million people, the draft law makes provision for quality mental health and substance abuse services available for women and adolescents, who are an underserved segment of the population.

Saraki while commenting on the draft bills, said a provision for stiffer sanctions would be made in the bills as proactive mechanism in the prevention of drug trafficking and abuse and pledged the commitment of the Senate in the speedy passage of the bills to give a legal framework to help mitigate drug abuse in the country.