Kaduna State reiterates Commitment to enhance capabilities of KADBUSA

The Director-General Kaduna Bureau of Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (KADBUSA), Joseph Ike said that Kaduna State Government has reiterated its Commitment in enhancing the Capability of the KADBUSA.

The Director General mentioned on Tuesday, at the Capacity Building Training for operatives of KADBUSA in kaduna state.

He said that, the training which is in alignment with Governor Uba Sani’s administration’s agenda that emphasizes Human Capital Development and Citizens’ Engagement, is also important for diligently carrying out the important mandate of the Bureau.

According to him, “This collaborative initiative between KADBUSA, the Kaduna State Ministry of Health, and the United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) underscores the commitment to addressing the pressing issue of substance abuse within the state.

“By enhancing the capabilities of KADBUSA’s operations staff, the program would make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by drug abuse and addiction.

“The 2-Day Capacity Building Training is a significant step towards a healthier, more secured, and prosperous Kaduna State,” he said.

On his part, Project Officer UNODC, Akanidomo Ibanga has called for development of policies that will address the prevalence of drugs abuse in the country.

He mentioning that, people with drug disorder that come in contact with criminal justice system, should be treated rather than sending to prison.

According to him, over 14.3 per cent of Nigerians have used drugs within the past years, “that is 14.4 million people, which is three times more the global average. Which is a serious drugs problem on our hands. He stated

Explaining further that, “The Nigerian situation is peculiar because it has the drugs problem, and does not have enough treatment facilities to handle the issues of people with drugs disorder.

“This is 2018 data, and from that time, the number of people using drugs have probably increased. According to Projections from WHO and UNODC, which shows that, there would be 40 per cent increase in drug use by 2030 in Africa, and Nigeria bring the most populous country in Africa, that have most of the number.

“We are sitting on time bomb, because comes 2030, it would reach over 20 per cent prevalence, that is, one in every five people you meet on the street.

“There are certain things we can do to avert this. UNODC has evolved certain responses and developed certain models.and hoping that these models can be run by both National and state governments.”

He added, there is also need to develop more policies that will address the situation. The need for alternatives to persuasion, so that that people with drug disorder that come in contact with criminal justice system, are treated instead of sending them to prison.

While concluded that, there are several things they have on ground that is evidence based, and when ever they are adopted, it would definitely be told out nationally, he stated.