From Khadijah Aliyu (Kano)
According to scholars, drug abuse is the excessive use of psychoactive drugs such as alcohol, pain killer medications or illegal drugs which can lead to physical, social or emotional harm.
Research indicates that over 7 million people suffer from illicit drug disorder especially youths who are often exposed to drug abuse and other harmful acts.
In Nigeria, government at all levels were doing everything possible to bring an end to the menace, in addition to contributions of the non governmental organizations and other relevant stakeholders who have joined hands in ensuring that drug pushing and consumption becomes history.
Among such efforts is a group of scholars who were committed to ensuring that the menace of Drug abuse was fully addressed.
Dr. Yahuza Hussaini Umar a lecturer with the department of Banking and finance, Bayero University Kano and Director, Administration and Training of a private Psychotherapy and counselling center who spoke to Radio Nigeria during the ground breaking ceremony of the center said the rate at which youths engage in drug abuse and other illicit acts necessitated the need for such centers.
He maintained that, philanthropists and wealthy individuals had contributed their quota to ensure the center becomes a reality.
The director maintained that the center would rehabilitate, train and educate drug dependant youths to be self reliant and useful to the society.
In his remark, the district head of Tsanyawa and Dan Makwayon Bichi, Alhaji Muhammad Abbas Sunusi commended the scholars for the initiative.
He described drug abuse as one of the major causes of all societal vices, saying that the counselling center will go a long way in curtailing the menace among youths.
Alhaji Muhammad charged others to support the new psychotherapy center to achieve the desired objectives.
The ground breaking ceremony attracted officials of the National drug law enforcement agency (NDLEA), hisbah personnel, government officials, academicians, journalists and the general public.