{
  "id": 4821235,
  "title": "Drug Dependence No Licence to Abuse Rights, NHRC Warns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/drug-dependence-no-licence-to-abuse-rights-nhrc-warns",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T08:24:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/09/01/drug-dependence-no-licence-to-abuse-rights-nhrc-warns/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has cautioned security forces, treatment facilities and other entities against infringing on the rights of individuals struggling with drug dependence. The commission declared on Monday that drug use does not diminish anyone's dignity, healthcare entitlement or legal protection. Nigeria must shift its focus from treating drug dependence solely as a law enforcement issue to adopting a health-centered and human rights-based strategy for prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and recovery, according to the NHRC. Dr Tony Ojukwu, the NHRC's Executive Secretary, made this statement at a two-day workshop organized with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Education as a Vaccine (EVA). Ojukwu, represented by Isioma Nwosa, emphasized that those affected by drug dependence continue to be entitled to all fundamental rights in Nigerian law and international human rights agreements. The warning emerged as the commission receives complaints about denial of treatment, stigmatization, breach of confidentiality, lack of informed consent, and poor conditions in rehabilitation centers, as well as issues concerning the treatment of drug users in detention. Ojukwu stressed that while the Commission does not determine Nigeria's drug policy, it has a mandate to ensure government policies and enforcement practices align with the country's human rights obligations. The workshop, titled \"Drug Dependence as a Public Health and Human Rights Issue: Integrating Harm Reduction and Human Rights-Based Approaches to Drug Dependence Treatment, Care and Complaints Handling,\" aimed to equip NHRC officials with the skills to investigate and handle complaints related to drug use, treatment and rehabilitation. UNODC Country Representative Cheikh Toure supported the NHRC's stance, highlighting the need for coordinated responses from various stakeholders, including government agencies, health institutions, human rights bodies, civil society and communities. Toure urged stakeholders to strike a balance between public health, public safety and human rights, warning against neglecting the health and social dimensions of drug dependence. The workshop focused on evidence-based prevention, treatment and recovery models, mental health services, and social reintegration, with a particular emphasis on the needs of vulnerable groups such as women and young people. Toure called on NHRC officials to apply their training to enhance institutional practices and improve safeguards for those affected by drug use. He also emphasized the importance of responsible media reporting to promote informed public understanding of drug dependence, treatment and recovery.",
  "summary": "Michael Olugbode in Abuja The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned security agencies, rehabilitation centres and other institutions against violating the fundamental rights of persons affected by drug dependence, declaring",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}