Drug free society: Is this road a dead end?

 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

 The economic cost of drug incarceration is taking a huge turnover as it is considered higher than the cost associated with the drug use. However, the proposition of legal regulation of certain illicit drugs and the decriminalization of marijuana possession will on the long run yield a positive outcome for the nation at large. Despite the fact that quite a number of views have criticized this, we must take cognizance of the fact that governmental action towards a drug free economy has been at its peak ever since the 20th century but still to no avail. Is it that the road is a dead-end? If the way which seems right always leads to failure, why not try the way which seems wrong. It can eventually make the long awaited difference. Therefore, the government needs to formulate a solid strategy so that crime can reduce and health qualities can improve. However, if the drug problems continue advancing as it is, we are going to be faced with some frightening options which would have been best controlled if critical decisions and actions can be taken now

RECENT POLICY FRAMEWORK AND DEBATE

 The problem of the use of illicit drugs and trafficking is one of the most difficult issues to tackle in Nigeria and the rest of the world today as it is almost impossible to eradicate. Nigeria is referred to as the hub of African narcotic trafficking (FBI 2006); In the 1980s and 1990s, Nigerians dominated criminal organization active in many countries and thus became key player in the international smuggling of heroine particularly into the United States of America, illegal drug trade is one of the largest global business which is worth $322 billion according to the world drug report, 2007, this attracts criminal organization because of its huge and potential profit,  Nevertheless, drug issues at the domestic level must be tackled with upmost seriousness. According to the Nigerian prison service report it is noted that out of 143 prisoners in five prisons, 25 percent tested positive for cannabis use. Moreso, one of every five prisoners in Nigeria is imprisoned because of the possession of marijuana; the criminal statistics is high as a result of the harsh anti-drug law under the 1912 convention signed at Hague on the 23rd of January and subsequently at a convention at Geneva at 1925 and 1931 while dangerous drug act of 1990, Indian hemp act of 1966, amphetamine and other drugs act of 1968, foods and drugs act of 1968 and special tribunal miscellaneous offence decree No.20, 1984 were also initiated. However, the 1984 decree mentioned that any person who deals in, buy, sells, uses or possesses cocaine or other similar drugs without lawful authority will be convicted and suffer death by firing squad, but due to lot of disapproval the firing squad was replaced with various jail terms for drugs related offences (Newswatch 1999). However, despite the creation of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency in 1989, series of support from various law enforcement agencies such as the Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigerian Custom Service and all efforts to reduce drug production at the source (farm) has proven that the drug free economy policy has failed and indeed, drug legalization and marijuana decriminalization is the light at the end of the tunnel. At the other hand, it is overly and generally known that;  The use of illicit drugs particular marijuana has become a general norm even at the effort of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency in curbing and abolishing this prove futile and enormous number of youth engage in the use of one illicit drug or the other.  80 percent of armed robbery criminals in Nigeria are all drug addicts; since most illicit drugs and marijuana serve as stimulant, most people who engage in criminal activities involve in the use of illicit drugs and which hereby instigate the act of irresponsibility in them.  Drug abuse in Nigeria is mostly caused by lack of parental supervision and peer group influence However, according to my personal survey, in the last few years, most of the Nigerian military personnel get involved in the use of marijuana and admit they used it because of its stimulating effect. How then can the law enforcement agency eradicate drugs when it is also accepted internally. Therefore, drug enforcement agency and parents needs to think twice towards their stand and make necessary amendment. Other countries might be working towards a drug free economy but that doesn’t mean it is applicable to a country like Nigeria. The most appropriate strategy that will curb the use of illicit drugs and reduce cost of incarceration is the drug regulation and decriminalization aforementioned. In 2011, the decimalization policy model received a major endorsement when the global commission on drug policy as UNODC published its reported war on drug which discusses the failure of the global war on drugs. As a result of this, I acknowledge the potential legislation that place a regulation on drugs and decriminalizing marijuana possession and hereby proposes a kind of legislation whereby drug abuse criminals will be treated like patient and not criminals so that the social and economic problems of drugs (poverty, despair, etc.) can be tackled effectively. PROPOSED POLICY RECOMMENDATION Having considered the cost incurred in the drug related incarceration, the enormous numbers of prisoners incarcerated as a result of the use, possession, sales of illicit drugs, the fact that drug criminals shouldn’t be incarcerated or stigmatized but treated as  a patient who needs help and in view of the aforementioned I hereby recommend as follows; 1. Sales and quantity in possession should be based on age; the sales of illicit drugs should be controlled using age consideration as the legal age to purchase and possess should be 18. As an 18 year old teenager should be able to understand the implications, knows the right quantity or volume which can pose threat to his/her life and sanity also  distinguish between what’s good and what’s bad while every person below the age of 18 found using these illicit drugs should be supervised formerly by the parents of such kid. It is so contrasting how cigarette and alcohol are controlled while no measure of control is set down for illicit drugs. No wonder youths have easy access to illicit drugs. 2. A buyer should be required to be a member of a group prior to purchase; Series of groups should be formed consisting of series of buyers and there are over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria. The group will be responsible for continual and constant education of its member warning them about the implication of illicit drugs since the group leaders will have a great influence on the behaviors of its members and in the regulation of consumption of substances. 3. Registration, training and licensing of purchasers; Purchasers should be registered with their various groups that it will allow for easy tracking of purchasers. Training should also be done prior to the purchase as it has great potential for harm when use by naïve users since statistics shows that there are quite a number of people that are ignorant of the use and aftermath. However, it goal should be to discourage drug use and reduce the rate of drug use and also, raise addiction concern and available treatment. Successful training graduate will then be issued with a certificate and thereafter a license which can subsequently be forfeited for driving under influence or any other related vices. 4. There should be shared responsibility between the producer, consumer and the member groups; When a buyer get intoxicated and due to that involves in a motor accident then the seller should be responsible to be sanctioned same as the member group structural heads because it adversely means that the member group isn’t doing enough training and regulation and also the seller selling above the stipulated volume for sale at a point in time. Major drug-oriented countries of the world are practicing decimalization and regulation of illicit drugs and it is working positively for them. Examples of these countries are Netherlands, Canada, Portugal, Armenia, Australia, and so on. As soon as this is implemented, cost of drug related incarceration will drastically reduce and the government would have been able to tackle the socio and economic problems leading to drug abuse. I recommend a framework will exude a minor before the age of 18 who has to be supervised by his parent should he use harmful drugs and afterwards at the age of 18 became liberal and can on a free will use and possess any narcotic substance just by simply following some rules which are registering as a drug user, receive training, attempt examination, if passed, get the right to become a certified member and subsequently buy, own and possess regulated substance and if failed, go back to training. Drug defaulters will however face the law enforcement agency for the penalty. 

CONCLUSION

Regulation of illicit drugs and decriminalization of marijuana, a credible choice out of several alternatives may not be the best for a drug accustomed economy neither is it a total solution or panacea to the high cost of incarceration and drug menace. However, this specific proposed policy will be the most functional for Nigeria due to various factors aforementioned accompanied with the total support for the government and the strong-will of the citizen in addition to District Police Officers and all community security department responsible support. “I have developed a conscience and a craving to a be better person, when I am focused on doing and being good, and practice the day to day mechanics of sober, healthy life, I don’t get those urges to do bad things to myself…my conscience has saved me from descending in to a life of total selfish hedonistic abuse” These were the words of Mike Tyson, a drug addict, when he admitted that his conscience about his family is the thing that keeps him from losing control.