The Nery Developmental Initiative (NDI) has called on government and stakeholders to prioritize investment in drug prevention as a strategic and sustainable solution to Nigeria’s growing substance abuse crisis.

Speaking at the 2025 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, NDI emphasized the need to shift from punitive enforcement to community-led preventive strategies that address the root causes of drug dependency.

The high-level event, themed “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” was organized by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and attracted major national and international stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigerian Police Force, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the European Union.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, served as the Special Guest of Honour. Other key dignitaries included the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN (Chief Host); the Senate President, represented by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo; and the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA).

NDI was represented by its Founder and Executive Director, Amb. Chika Rita Ezenwa, and the Media Relations and Advocacy Director, Mr. Kennedy Onyegbado.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines, Amb. Ezenwa stressed the urgency of investing in prevention initiatives tailored to Nigeria’s social realities.

“Our communities are saturated with trauma, poverty, and limited access to opportunity—conditions that make young people vulnerable to drug abuse,” Ezenwa said. “We must move beyond enforcement and invest in early interventions, especially in schools, rural communities, and among marginalized youth.”

She revealed that NDI is already collaborating with the NDLEA on a pilot project aimed at integrating drug education into secondary school curricula in the Federal Capital Territory and Abia State.

Mr. Onyegbado reiterated the need for a multi-sectoral response, arguing that drug abuse is not solely a criminal justice issue but also a public health and economic challenge.

“Effective drug prevention requires synergy across sectors—health, education, law enforcement, and civil society,” he said. “NDI is committed to supporting a national prevention strategy that is both community-driven and evidence-based.”

Amb. Ezenwa further called on stakeholders to incorporate youth and grassroots perspectives into national drug control policy formulation, and advocated increased investment in mental health services, rehabilitation centres, and public sensitization campaigns.

“Prevention is not an abstract concept. It demands real funding, inclusive planning, and measurable community engagement,” she said. “We must move from awareness to action.”

As Nigeria joins the global community in commemorating the UN Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, NDI’s participation reinforced the growing consensus that prevention, not punishment, holds the key to reducing drug dependency and building healthier communities.