DRUG ABUSE: KNSG ESTABLISHES DRUG FREE ZONES IN SCHOOLS 22-11-23
By Sadiq Aminu The Kano State government (KNSG), has reiterated it’s commitment in establishing drug free zones, in schools to curtail drugs abuse among youths.
The state commissioner for education Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa, gave the assurance, while receiving members of League for Societal Protection Against Drugs Abuse (LESPADA), during a courtesy visit to his office.
This was contained in a statement, signed by the director public enlightenment, Kano state ministry of education, Balarabe Abdullahi Kiru,and made available to Africa 247 in Kano.
The commissioner, described drug abuse as a major catalyst to societal vices,saying that the establishment of drug free zones in schools, would go a long way in curtailing the menace.
Umar Haruna Doguwa explained that, due to the sensitive nature of the issue, the schools drug free zones, would serve as a sensitization center to students and relevant stakeholders.
He stressed that,the state government under the leadership of Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf is concerned about drug peddling and abuse, and would do everything within it’s powers to mitigate the scourge.
“After swearing-in ceremony of His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf as Governor, the first place he visited was Kiru reformatory centre to demonstrate the concern of his administration on the danger of drug abuse to the life of youths”
Doguwa said, his ministry would join the crusade against drug abuse by working closely with LESPADA, especially across boarding schools, in addition to supporting the translation of booklets on drug abuse to produced by the league,into Hausa language.
The Executive Director League For Societal Protection Against Drugs Abuse (LESPADA), Ambassador Maryam Hassan, hinted that, they were at the commissioner’s office to seek for collaboration due the dangers of drug abuse.
She highlighted that, LESPADA is a non-governmental organization operating in Kano,Gombe,Bauchi,Plateau, and Katsina states, that educates the public on the negative impacts of drugs abuse.
“We had a project on schools sensitization programme which we got approval to sensitize 779 schools in Kano. We had started the project but unfortunately encountered some challenges along the way so we had to suspend the programme”
Maryam maintained that, some Principals had refused LESPADA access to their schools.
” With the little sensitization we started, we discovered so many things, some students were in to drugs, some reported their families to us and we were able to counsel them and rehabilitate them. So, we are soliciting for the Ministry collaboration to make the project succeed”