Kano state government has reaffirmed its dedication to the fight against drug abuse and other societal vices.
The Special Adviser to the governor on health matters, Dr. Fauziyya Idris Buba made the indication, during a women sensitization campaign on mental health and drug abuse,held at Hotoro Nasarawa local government area of Kano.
Dr. Fauziyya, who doubles as chairperson Kano State Health Action Committee, explained that the state government had inaugurated female anti drug ambassadors, to help in the fight against drug peddling and abuse.
She pointed out that , Kano first lady, Professor Hafsat Abdullahi Umar Ganduje had also visited local government areas, to set up committees on substance abuse to curtail the deadly menace.
The special adviser highlighted that , they were at Hotoro South to discuss with women on issues related to drug abuse and mental health, saying that mental health disorder is often a neglected part of health issue as most people do not regard it and stigmatize those affected.
She maintained that, Hotoro is one of the communities mostly affected by child molestation and missing children, due to the poor attitude of some parents.
Dr. Fauziyya charged women in the area, to be good ambassadors by inculcating good moral upbringing among their children, and supporting one another to achieve the desired objectives.
“The state mental health action committee had engaged relevant stakeholders, including guidance and counseling mentors from the state tertiary institutions, traditional leaders, government officials and women groups to work together in mitigating mental disorder,drug abuse, among others”
Some of the participants who spoke to Radio Nigeria, Hafsat Ibrahim and Mariya Abdulsalam identified poverty, unemployment, marital problems, drug abuse and illiteracy as some of the catalysts to problems confronting women.
They identified stigmatization and lack of cooperation, by some residents of the community, which pushes women and girls into depression and mental health disorder.
They called on philanthropists and wealthy individuals, to assist in developing the community through educational and enterepreneurship training, to make women self reliant.
The event tagged :women sensitization campaign in mental health and drug abuse witnessed large turn out of women from Hotoro North and South where an eleven member committee was inaugurated to work towards mitigating challenges faced by the community.
KHADIJAH ALIYU