Minister Calls on National Assembly to Recognize Drug Addiction as a Health Issue

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, has urged the National Assembly to pass legislation treating drug addiction as a health issue rather than a criminal one. Speaking at the Legislative Forum in Abuja, Pate emphasized the need for a humane approach to drug addiction, recommending the creation of a legislative framework that supports drug harm reduction as a public health intervention. The call aligns with the goal of ensuring drug users receive care without fear of arrest and are treated with dignity and respect.