Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has reiterated his administration’s commitment to fight drugs and substance abuse from both the supply and demand side of the menace.
Speaking when the Task Force on Substance Abuse paid him a courtesy call at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the Governor said the statistics are quite worrisome and that the Government is determined to reverse them.
El-Rufai who pointed out that the fight will require a lot of advocacy , also said that his administration has been working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) to crack down on suppliers of illicit drugs.
‘’The Task Force should collaborate with NDLEA because it will deepen all the work that we have done in the last four years. We will give you all the support that you need,’’ he promised.
The Governor revealed that the spate of kidnappings that are bedeviling the country have roots in drug abuse.
According to him, ‘’kidnappers now include Tramadol as part of their demand for ransom from relatives of victims. This clearly indicates that most of these bandits abuse drugs.’’
The Governor who also said that his administration has been fighting drugs and substance abuse from its inception, expressed happiness that his wife, Hajiya Asia Ahmad El-Rufai is part of the Task Force, adding that her membership will enhance its advocacy.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Health, Dr Amina Mohammed Baloni commended members of the Task Force for their efforts, adding that ‘’the issue of substance abuse has become so rampant that everyone knows someone who is affected by the problem. ‘’
The Commissioner further said that the Task Force is coming at the right time because drug abuse has become so pervasive that a vigorous campaign is required to tackle it.
In his opening remarks, the Director General of Kaduna Bureau for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (KADBUSA), Dr Joseph Maigari said that while those who supply illicit drugs should be prosecuted, those that abuse them should be supported and rehabilitated.
Dr Maigari said that the average national prevalence rate of drugs and substance abuse is 14.4%, adding that the figure for Kaduna state stands at 10.9%.
Dr Maigari further disclosed that nationwide statistics show that the trend of drugs and substance abuse is rising among women.
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