Drug Addiction: Arrest Is Not Recovery – Prof Daniel Ikpechukwu

At the fourth Vanguard Mental Health Summit in Lagos, addiction specialist Daniel Ikpechukwu urged Nigeria to better connect criminal justice with treatment, rehabilitation and sustained support for young people. He argues that punishing drug-related offences without addressing substance-use problems can trap young people in a cycle of arrest, release and relapse. He recommends screening and assessment by qualified professionals at the first point of contact with the justice system, followed by referral to appropriate treatment where the law and circumstances allow. Ikpechukwu stresses that addiction should not erase criminal accountability, but that the justice response should also address clinical needs.