The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has formally declared Kaduna State the national benchmark for drug prevention and treatment in Nigeria.
In a letter signed by UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Toure and addressed to Governor Uba Sani, the agency praised Kaduna’s “remarkable strides” in strengthening both institutional and community‑based interventions.
The recognition follows Kaduna’s transformation of the former Kaduna Bureau of Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment into the fully integrated Kaduna State Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (KadSAMHSA).
UNODC said “the unified structure, merging mental‑health and substance‑use services under one agency, aligns with global best practice and stands out as one of the most effective sub‑national models in the country.”
UNODC highlighted Kaduna’s strong focus on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and public education, supported by multisectoral coordination, community outreach, and psychosocial support.
The agency noted that this balanced, holistic approach reflects forward‑thinking governance and a genuine commitment to comprehensive drug control.
The “Kaduna Model” has already attracted interest from several states, including Yobe, Borno, Bayelsa, and Kwara, which have sought UNODC guidance on replicating the framework.
This growing demand reinforces Kaduna’s reputation as a national leader and innovator in public‑health reform and social reintegration.
Reaffirming its partnership, UNODC pledged continued technical assistance, capacity‑building, and programme linkages to national and regional drug‑control strategies.
The agency said “it will further strengthen its collaboration with Kaduna’s government and KadSAMHSA to advance evidence‑based prevention and treatment systems.”
The declaration positions Kaduna as a reference point for other Nigerian states aiming to improve their responses to substance abuse and mental‑health challenges.