The Kano State Government has set a target to rehabilitate, equip with vocational skills and reintegrate 10,000 drug users and vulnerable youths into society within the next one year as part of efforts to curb drug abuse, gang violence and related crimes.
The Chairman of the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Muhyi Magaji Rimingado, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Kano.
Rimingado said the initiative was designed to address not only drug abuse but also the socioeconomic factors that expose young people to substance abuse, gang violence and criminal activities.
According to him, the state government plans to utilise existing facilities, including the Common Facility Centre in Sharada and garment centres across the state, to provide beneficiaries with vocational skills and opportunities for productive engagement.
He said the task force would also collaborate with members of the business community to establish production centres close to beneficiaries’ communities, with equipment and working capital provided to enable rehabilitated youths to become economically independent.
The Chairman said the task force was prioritising demand reduction, stressing that drug users were often victims who required rehabilitation, counselling and reintegration into society.
“Our major focus is demand reduction. Drug users are often victims who need rehabilitation, counselling and reintegration into society, even though substance abuse can constitute a violation of the law.”
Rimingado explained that individuals found abusing a single substance, particularly cannabis, could be counselled and handed over to their parents or guardians for monitoring and subsequent testing.
READ ALSO: Kano Unveils Anti-Drug Task Force, Appoints Magaji to Lead Crackdown
He, however, said those found abusing multiple substances would face prosecution in accordance with the law.
The Chairman disclosed that more than 40 convicted drug-related offenders were currently serving their terms at the Kiru rehabilitation facility instead of conventional prisons, with the state government providing for their welfare.
He also highlighted progress recorded by the task force since its inauguration, saying residents were increasingly reporting suspected drug-related activities to security agencies.
“People are beginning to take ownership of the fight against drug abuse and trafficking. Members of the public now report suspected drug-related activities to security agencies, which enables us to intervene and arrest perpetrators.”
Rimingado said the task force was working closely with security agencies and other stakeholders to combat drug abuse, illicit drug trafficking and gang violence in accordance with existing laws.
He stressed the need to distinguish between major drug traffickers who deliberately profit from illicit activities and vulnerable youths who may have been drawn into crime because of unemployment, manipulation or lack of opportunities.
“We must distinguish between those who deliberately profit from drug trafficking and vulnerable young people who may have been recruited because of unemployment, manipulation or lack of opportunities.”
The Chairman expressed optimism that sustained collaboration among government agencies, security organisations, communities, parents, the media and the private sector would strengthen the fight against drug abuse and support the successful reintegration of rehabilitated persons into society.
