In commemoration of International Womens Day, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Federal Ministry of Justice in Collaboration with Akustan Engineering Limited held a sensitization/advocacy program on drug Abuse for women in Warawa Local Government of Kano state on 8th March 2023. The program, which was held at NITT Dawakin Kudu Local Government in Kano state, was designed to educate 150 participants about the dangers of using and consuming illegal drugs and substances among young people in Dawakin Kudu Local Government, especially women.
The Kano state commander of the NDLEA in person of Abubakar Idris Ahmed who was highly represented by chief Superintendent of Narcotics Jibo Sunusi Magayaki noted that the usage of drugs in Kano must especially in Dawakin kudu is at high rate, in this regards he commended the effort of Hon Mustapha Dawaki and other affiliated agencies involved in the actualization of this programme.
while speaking at the event said “many people take drugs as a result of frustration arising from the current economic reality and challenges such as: Unemployment, Nepotism, Bad Governance and poverty”, he notes that with similar programs of these nature the youth would be enlightened and cautioned on the dangers of Drugs.
‘’ He added that Foundations or NGO’s of these kind needs to advocate more in the rural communities on the dangers and effect of Drug abuse among youth.
In this regards among the NDLEA Kano state Director of Drug Demand Reduction in person of Aishatu Hamida elaborated on the stages of dependency on Drug abuse user, she stated drug users often become more addicted when they get to dependency stages as such these menace can only be curtailed before it get to dependency stage.
She added by applauding the efforts of Hon. Mustapha Dawaki , the project consultant: Mr Ethel; C.E.O of Akustan Engineering Limited and Amb. Kenneth Anetor, The Consultant of the Senate committe on Drugs and Nacortic and President of A New Thing International Foundation for providing a great opportunity to the women of Dawakin Kudu.
The Special Assistant on Drugs to the Kano State Government, Hon. Nura Sani Abdullahi, attended the program speaking on the theme: need for Sensitization and advocacy on drug abuse among youth in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State. He gave a goodwill message at the event and praised Hon. Mustapha Dawaki for his work in providing a channel for the youth of Dawakin Kudu. Understanding the risks associated with drug consumption, he stated that, in his opinion, drinking too much alcohol is equivalent to abusing drugs, and that tobacco is a gateway drug. Indian hemp or marijuana both have addictive properties. using drugs improperly should Drug usage should be prevented at all costs..
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In his remarks, Hon. Nura Sani Abdullahi called for increased public awareness campaigns throughout the entire state. He also praised the consultants’ work and pledged to cooperate with A New Thing International Foundation in the remaining Local Government Areas of Kano state
The Assistant Manager for the Adolescent Health and Information Project Mr. Usman Garko also spoke at the occasion, providing an introduction of the idea of drugs and reviewing the prevalence of their use in the North. He specifically emphasized the necessity for the government or another nonprofit organization to support drug misuse sensitization initiatives in Kano state, from the urban to the rural areas.
On his side Amb. Kenneth Anetor,the Consultant of the Senate committee on Drugs and narcotics and President of A New Thing International Foundation said partnership with NDLEA and Hon. Mustapha Dawaki, representing Dawaki/Warawa constituency is part of A New Thing International foundations policy of discouraging consumption and illicit substances amongst youth. He then offer a hand of support and partnership to any youth present that would like to be Ambassadors for the Drug free Kano project and champion the project in the the interior communities.
The program was well attended an is set to be the first of more substance abuse Intervention in Kano state.