WE NEED COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO TACKLE DRUGS ABUSE- BUHARI 01-01-24
By Sadiq Aminu Former President Muhammad Buhari has stressed the need for collaborative effort to tackle the menace of Drugs abuse in the society.
He stated this during a one day Annual dialogue on the menace of drug abuse among youths organised by Katsina consultative forum to underscore the urgent need to address the rising challenges of drug abuse among the youth population held at Government House Katsina.
The Former President also called for increased efforts against drug trafficking and distribution while acknowledging the need to address the underlying causes of drug abuse such as poverty and lack of job opportunities especially to the teaming youths and women.
On his part the Katsina State Governor Dr Dikko Umaru-Radda represented by his deputy Faruk Lawal Jobe, commended the foresight of the forum for initiating the event, which according to him will greatly assist in reducing drug abuse and other criminalities caused by drug abuse.
The chairman of the forum Alhaji Aminu Abubakar Danmusa said the event was organized to find lasting solutions to the menace of drug abuse in the state and to some extent the country at large .
One of the discussant, Dr Usman Bugaje a renowned political activist emphasised the need for a multi pronged approach to combat the crisis proposing collaboration between communities, government agencies and religious organisations
He stressed the importance of preventive measures focused on youths and students alongside drug sources and understanding the underlying reasons and risk factors driving drug abuse in Nigeria .
The Kaduna-Katsina Zonal Commander of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA Mahmud Sule, called for the involvement of both Government and key players to tackle the menace.
It could be recalled that the National Drug Law Enforcement agency NDLEA Katsina ranks second only to Bauchi in drug seizure and arrest of both dealers and users
The dialogue brought together concerned citizens, traditional rulers showcasing the seriousness with which the issue is being tackled.