Activities Of Drug Enforcement Agencies SS2 Civic Education Lesson Note

DRUG LAWS IN NIGERIA

The promulgation of drug laws in Nigeria is one of the ways the Nigerian government has been responding to the prevention of drug abuse in the country. Examples of such laws are:

1. Indian hemp decree (1966) – According to this decree, any person who engages in the cultivation or exportation of cannabis will face 21 years imprisonment. Those who only export will risk 10 years imprisonment and 5 years imprisonment if found to possess smoking utensils.

2. Indian hemp decree (amendment) 1984 – This Amendment Act provides for 21 years imprisonment for sales and trafficking while 4 or more years for smoking and possession.

3. Tobacco smoking decree (1990) – This law prohibits smoking of tobacco in public places. It also made it compulsory for tobacco advertisers to put warnings on them e.g. smokers are liable to die young.

ACTIVITIES OF DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

There are two major agencies in Nigeria responsible for drug management and control. These agencies are NDLEA and NAFDAC.

a) National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA): This agency was established by Decree 48 of January 1990. The agency has its officials positioned in strategic places such as international airports, seaports and borders. This is to ensure that there is elimination of importation and exportation of uncertified drugs and other consumables in the country.

Functions Of Ndlea

1. To ensure the eradication of illicit cultivation and demand for narcotic plants across the country.
2. To eliminate the root causes of the production and consumption of narcotic plants.
3. To promote effective enforcement of drug laws in the country.
4. To coordinate all preventive measures against illegal dealings in drugs.
5. To prosecute drug law offenders.

b) National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC): This agency was established by Decree 15 of 1993 but was officially recognized on January 1, 1994.

Functions Of NAFDAC

1. Regulation of foods, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, etc.
2. Inspection of foods, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, etc for quality assurance.
3. Ensures laboratory tests of foods, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, etc and certifies them for consumption.
4. Investigation of raw materials and production centres where foods, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, etc are produced.
5. Registration of foods, drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, medical appliances, etc

ACTIVITIES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN NIGERIA

1. Detection of fake and expired drugs.
2. Burning of substandard drugs, cosmetics, etc.
3. Detection of drug traffickers.
4. Arrest of drug traffickers.
5. Confiscation of smuggled food and drug items.
6. Prosecution of drug traffickers.
7. Destruction of plantation of illegal drugs.
8. Public enlightenment campaign.