House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen says drug traffickers should face the full weight of the law, while people struggling with addiction need treatment, rehabilitation and community support.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has called for tougher measures against drug dealers and traffickers, stressing that Nigerians struggling with drug addiction should not be abandoned but supported through treatment and rehabilitation.

Abbas made the call in Kaduna at the conclusion of a three-day sensitisation programme on drug abuse and domestic violence organised in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

The Speaker said the fight against drug abuse must distinguish between those who profit from the illegal drug trade and those who have become trapped in addiction.

According to him, drug dealers and traffickers who deliberately push illicit substances into communities must be made to face the full weight of the law. However, people battling addiction require compassion, medical care, counselling and other forms of support to give them a chance to recover and rebuild their lives.

He stressed that prevention should remain a major part of the national response, noting that effective drug-abuse prevention must begin with adequate information and awareness.

Abbas said parents, schools, religious institutions and communities all have important roles to play in educating young people about the dangers associated with drug abuse and helping to identify early signs of substance misuse.

He also linked the fight against drug abuse to Nigeria's broader struggle with insecurity, warning that money generated through illicit drug trafficking can provide criminal groups with the resources needed to acquire weapons, recruit members and sustain violent activities.

The Speaker therefore urged communities to reject silence and complacency surrounding drug abuse, saying collective action was necessary to confront the problem before it worsens.

Beyond drug abuse, Abbas condemned domestic violence and urged Nigerians to stop presenting abuse as discipline, tradition or culture.

He described domestic violence for what it is—abuse—and called for stronger efforts to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.

The Speaker pledged that the National Assembly would continue to support measures aimed at strengthening relevant laws, improving enforcement and expanding access to treatment for people affected by drug addiction and violence.

He also promised to deploy parliamentary oversight to ensure that government agencies responsible for addressing drug abuse and domestic violence deliver measurable results.

Abbas's message underscores the need for a balanced approach to Nigeria's drug crisis—one that is firm on traffickers while providing a path to recovery for people struggling with addiction.

He urged Nigerians to speak up when they encounter drug abuse or domestic violence in their communities rather than allowing fear, stigma or silence to deepen the problems.