Forum seeks effective drug regulation in Katsina

A group, Katsina Consultative Forum (KCF), has advocated laws to regulate drug use to stem indiscriminate substance abuse in the state.

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The Chairman of the forum, Alhaji Aminu Danmusa, said this at a news conference on Wednesday in Katsina.

Danmusa urged the government to initiate an executive bill to enact a law on drugs, adding that such legislation would ensure enforcement of regulations, arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of drug related offences.

He said that such laws were necessary to fill gaps in the laws governing the operation of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), with regards to the arrest and prosecution of offenders in the state.

The chairman said that drug dealers were taking advantage of the loopholes in the law, to perpetuate their heinous acts, thus impeding the fight against drug abuse.

Danmusa said the forum in collaboration with community and religious leaders had intensified campaign against drug abuse through radio programmes and awareness creation activities on the ills of drug abuse at the grassroots.

He said the forum had distributed about 5,000 fliers to sensitise the youths to the negative impact of drug abuse, and encourage them to eschew substance abuse.

Danmusa listed other interventions being implemented by the forum to include water supply to male and female hostels at the NDLEA command, and establishment of a modern rehabilitation centre.

“The centre will facilitate the reintegration of drug addicts into the society by attending to their psychological, medical, economic and social needs”.

NAN/Wumi