Instead of the death penalty for drug offenders proposed by the Nigerian Drug and Law Enforcement (NDLEA), human rights campaigners have called on the National Assembly to focus on appropriate proactive measures to block the pipeline through which people can access illicit drugs. READ ALSO: Senate okays death sentence for makers of illicit drugsHope Behind Bars gave this warning in Abuja at an event to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Drug Trafficking. Adeoye went on: “A review of data from Southeast Asia, including countries like Singapore and Indonesia, shows that the death penalty has not led to a substantial reduction in drug trafficking. “This indicates that the death penalty does not solve the underlying issues related to drug crime and may divert attention and resources from more effective strategies such as harm reduction and rehabilitation. “This is typically defined as those involving intentional killing of which drug offenses do not meet the threshold.”She called for the development of detailed guidelines for appropriate imprisonment and fines for drug offenses by categorising them based on the type of narcotic and specific quantities involved.

Source: The Guardian June 29, 2024 11:52 UTC