Kano state Mental Action Health Committee, has set up an adhoc committee to sensitize students of tertiary institutions, on the effects of drug abuse and other mental health issues.
The Special Adviser to Kano state Governor on Health Matters, Dr. Fauziyya Idris Buba made the disclosure shortly after a one-day sensitization meeting with guidance and counselling mentors from Kano state tertiary institutions, held at Kano state hospital’s management board.
Dr. Fauziyya, who doubles as the chairperson of the two interrelated committees, Kano state Mental Health Action Committee and Female Anti Drug Campaign Committee, under the leadership of the first lady, Professor Hafsat Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said the first meeting was organized to review recommendations of the previous meeting.
She explained that, during the first meeting in February with the guidance and counselling mentors, action points were given to them based on the activities stated, which lead to the establishment of anti drug abuse and guidance and counselling clubs, across the state’s tertiary institutions.
“Based on the meeting, most of the guidance and counselling mentors in various tertiary institutions in Kano, have set up anti drug and G and C clubs which is working and functioning, we have achieved a lot of results”, she explained.
The Special Adviser noted that, during the meeting, an adhoc committee was set up to go round tertiary institutions, to sensitize lecturers, staff and students on their mental health, effects of drug abuse as well as social and spiritual well being.
She stressed that, the committee would commence activities at the end of November and charged management of tertiary institutions, lecturers, staff and students to give the committee the maximum cooperation, to succeed in it’s fight against drug and substance abuse.
Some of the participants who spoke to Radio Nigeria, Dr. Bashir Sani a lecturer and director qualify assurance Sa’adatu Rimi college of education, Ambassador Maryam Hassan from LESPADA, and Sani Garba Danjuma representing a Non governmental organization, reiterated their commitment in working assidiously, to mitigate drug peddling and abuse.
They noted that, the anti drug and guidance and counselling clubs set up in schools, were working tirelessly to mitigate problems bedevilling students.
They commended the state government, for setting up the female anti drug abuse and mental health action committees to curtail problems bedevilling the society.
KHADIJAH ALIYU