Yobe Peace and Community Development initiative, a Non governmental Organizations has sensitized 650 drug addicts on the danger of substance abuse and violence extremism in Yobe and Northeast.
Speaking to Daily Trust after a week-long workshops and rallies in Gujba, Fune and Tarmuwa local government areas of the state, the Executive Director, YPCDI, Muhammad Abdulkadir Talba, said the initiative was a collaborative effort with Northeast Regional Initiative (NERI).
He said youths especially those that suffered devastating effects of Boko haram must be disabused to completely wipe insurgency in the Northeast.
He stressed that the major cause of violent extremism was drugs abuse and most youths have taken queue in the post insurgency stage due frustrations that would result in mental and physical consequences to the society.
He noted that advocacy visits have been taken to traditional rulers and local government officials with full support of NDLEA and other security agencies in the affected areas.
Talba noted that the programme was to sensitize 200 drugs users from each of the three targeted communities of Buni-Yadi, Babangida and Jajere towns but the number exceeded.
"The initial target of 600 youths was increase to 750 youths. Of which 620 were confirmed drugs abusers in the three communities", he said.
Our correspondent report that a public lecture entitled "Reducing youth vulnerability to violent extremism through combating substance abuse" was held in the three communities, and a rally by the drugs users carrying placards with various inscriptions like, "Say no drugs and yes to peace" followed.
One of the drugs abusers, Sa’adiya Babangida, said she was introduced into drugs abuse after losing her parents and husband to the bullets Boko haram insurgency.
"I became frustrated with no means of livelihood. A friend influence me to start using illicit drugs. I forgot all my worries and engage in all forms of crimes to survive", she said.
According to Sa’adiya, her action was regrettable especially now that drugs has become part of her system. "Whenever I didn’t take drugs, I will be very weak throughout the day. I wish I can fight this calamity", she prayed.
