Support. Don't Punish Activities! Part 1: Nigeria
SSDP Nigeria National Committee - Abeokuta
by Olufemi Bashorun
Our support. Don’t Punish campaign was with People Who Use Drugs (PWUD), especially in the Ibara area of the City of Abeokuta.
The campaign was focused on promoting harm reduction and advocating better drug policies in Nigeria.
Harm reduction programs and how to access them were the core of the campaign, as PWUD used the opportunity to express personal challenges, connect, and build relationships with harm reduction service providers.
The campaign was held on Monday, 27th June 2022 and had leaders like Olufemi Bashorun; Yusuf Jeleel; Omofaye Shogo; Folashade Aduragbemi, among other leaders.
Invited organisations include the Nigerian Red Cross; the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); the National Youth Service Corps; the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria; the Nigeria Police Force; and the Ogun State Ministry of Health in attendance.
The objectives of empowering PWUD with harm reduction knowledge; building relationships with harm reduction service providers; discouraging unhealthy practices while using, eg., sharing of syringes; promoting harm reduction services through proper communication were effectively achieved.
