News
Strengthening Drug Enforcement: A Double-Edged Sword (Balancing Enforcement with Rehabilitation)
The battle against drug abuse is complex and needs a balanced approach. While it’s important to strengthen drug enforcement to stop the illegal drug trade and protect communities, we also need to focus on rehabilitation and support for those struggling with addiction. This way, we can reduce drug-related crimes and help individuals recover, leading to healthier communities overall.
*The Role of Enforcement*
Drug enforcement is key to public safety and reducing illegal substances. By targeting drug trafficking networks, law enforcement disrupts the supply chain, making it harder for drugs to reach the streets. This can lower drug use and related crimes. However, a purely punitive approach has its downsides. Jailing people for drug offenses without addressing their addiction often leads to relapse and re-offense. Criminalizing drug users can also worsen social stigmas, pushing them further away from the help they need.
*The Importance of Rehabilitation*
Rehabilitation and treatment are essential to fighting drug abuse. These programs address the root causes of addiction, offering support and resources to help people overcome their dependencies. Effective rehab programs focus on detoxification, psychological counseling, vocational training, and social support, helping individuals reintegrate into society as productive members. Rehabilitation is not just about treating individuals; it’s about transforming communities. When people recover from addiction, they positively impact their families, workplaces, and society. This reduces the burden on the criminal justice system and public health services, leading to better long-term outcomes.
*Striking the Right Balance*
Finding the right balance between enforcement and rehabilitation is key. A good strategy should include the following:
• Governments should create policies that combine strict law enforcement with easy access to treatment and rehabilitation services. This way, while illegal activities are controlled, people struggling with addiction can get the help they need.
• Setting up diversion programs that send drug offenders to treatment programs instead of jail can be very effective. These programs treat addiction as a health issue, not just a criminal one.
• Involving communities in the fight against drug abuse can make both enforcement and rehabilitation efforts more effective. Community programs can offer support networks, education, and resources to prevent drug abuse and aid recovery.
• Law enforcement officers need training to handle drug issues with a focus on rehabilitation. Giving them the right tools and knowledge can help them treat drug users with empathy and guide them to the right services.
Public education campaigns should work to reduce the stigma around drug addiction. When people see addiction as a health problem instead of a moral failing, more individuals will seek help, creating a supportive environment for recovery.
Strengthening drug enforcement is important to protect communities and reduce the availability of illegal drugs. However, it must be balanced with strong rehabilitation and support programs to address the root causes of addiction. By combining enforcement with rehabilitation, we can tackle drug abuse more effectively and compassionately, leading to healthier individuals and stronger communities. Damilola Amire, a mental health therapist writes.
Nigerians dominated the list of Africa’s Most Talked About People of 2024 by Top Charts Africa.
Nigerians occupied 18 spots in the top 30 recently released via the chart body’s website.
Nigerian singer, Wizkid, is number one on the list. Wizkid has been on the trend table year-round following his renewed beef with Davido and the release of his new album, ‘Morayo.’
President William Ruto of Kenya took the number 2 spot.
Ruto made global headlines in June when thousands of Kenyans took to the streets in protest of legislation increasing taxes. Following the storming of the Kenyan Parliament, President William Ruto reportedly rejected the Bill on 28 June and signed into law the “Appropriations Bill 2024” to address the budget shortfall caused by the rejection.
Nigerian afrobeats singer, Davido is ranked at number 3. Davido year-long trend climaxed with his much-publicised wedding to his wife, Chioma, in June, tagged ‘Chivido 2024.’
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; former Prime minister of Kenya, Raila Odinga; controversial Nigerian crossdresser, Bobrisky; South African singer Tyla; Nigerian politician, Peter Obi, and South Adrian music star, Liema Pantsi, complete the top 10.
Baltasar Engonga, the controversial Equatoguinean former public official who became an Internet sensation after his intimate videos surfaced online also made the list.
Full list:
1. Wizkid
2. President William Ruto
3. Davido
4. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
5. Aliko Dangote
6. Raila Odinga
7. Bobrisky
8. Tyla
9. Peter Obi
10. Liema Pantsi
11. Rema
12. Rigathi Gachagua
13. Khosi Twala
14. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta
15. Ademola Lookman
16. Asake
17. Very Dark Man
18. Drill
19. Nyesom Wike
20. President Cyril Ramaphosa
21. Reno Omokri
22. Rose Owusu Konadu
23. Victor Osimhen
24. Baltasar Engonga
25. Sharon Ooja
26. Toyin Abraham
27. Babu Owino Paul
28. Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina
29. Danny Walter
30. Pastor Enoch Adeboye
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has alleged that former President Muhammadu Buhari is part of a plot to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of 2027.
Primate Ayodele revealed that Buhari is being influenced by some Northern cabals who are determined to undermine Tinubu’s government.
He disclosed this during the release of his 95-page 2025 prophecies on Friday, December 20, 2024.
According to Primate Ayodele: “Former President Muhammadu Buhari is part of the plot to unseat President Tinubu in 2027. Although he is being dragged into it by Northern cabals, he will play a role. If Tinubu isn’t on alert, he will be shocked by those who would stand against him in 2027.”
Additionally, Primate Ayodele stated that opposition parties in Nigeria are not serious and have not demonstrated readiness to take the presidential seat in the country.
“Opposition parties are not yet ready to win elections in Nigeria. They are a bunch of unserious people who only want to make personal gains. If they are serious about winning in 2027, they need to form one strong coalition; otherwise, it will remain just a dream.”
Speaking further, Primate Ayodele noted that the former governor of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, will make a major move in the state’s politics and that his movement could evolve into a political party.
“I still maintain that Rauf Aregbesola is a significant factor in Osun State politics. His movement will transform into a kind of political party. If the APC wants to win the state, they should work with Aregbesola; otherwise, they will fail,” he added.
The founder of Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church, SPAC Nation, Tobi Adegboyega, has claimed that he will be more influential in Nigeria than in the UK.
His remarks follow the UK immigration upper tribunal’s approval of his deportation due to an alleged £1.87 million fraud charge.
Despite the ruling, Adegboyega vehemently denied the fraud allegations, calling them baseless and unsubstantiated.
In a preview of an upcoming Off The Record podcast episode, when asked if SPAC Nation was the only church facing such accusations, he emphasized the church’s success in the UK and Europe.
“We are the largest independent church in the UK and Europe right now,” he claimed.
He added, “If I am in Nigeria, I will be bigger than this, 10x maybe. If I am in Paris, I will be happier. It’s holiday for me. London will miss me, so you better tell them, we still need this guy, nobody is close to us entertaining us.”
Wizkid, Tinubu, Baltasar Engonga, others make ‘Africa’s most talked about people of 2024’
Buhari, Northern cabal part of plot to unseat Tinubu, opposition not ready – Primate Ayodele
I’ll be bigger in Nigeria – Pastor Adegboyega scheduled for deportation claims
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