Ganduje wants NDLEA to come out with new action plan against drug abuse

Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said that cultural, religious, economic and other variables must be taken into consideration if the war against drug peddling and abuse is to succeed.

Ganduje noted that the sale and abuse of drugs had taken a new dimension in the country, as not only youths but also women and even cattle rustlers now engage in the unwholesome act.

The governor, who made the assertion while receiving Roli Bode George, acting chairman of NDLEA, said because of Kano’s high population and its cosmopolitan nature, drug abuse was very high in the state.

He said his administration would continue to collaborate with NDLEA to tackle the menace, adding that the government had since established a reformatory to cater for drug addicts.

“Only yesterday, about 72 criminals including drug suspects were arrested and on 1st January, 2016, we destroyed a large consignment of hard drugs to signify our intention to deal with this drug problem,” the governor said.

In her marks, Roli Bode George told the governor about the country’s National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP), which aims to strengthen responses to drugs, in order to contribute to the enhanced health, security and well being of all Nigerians.

She decried the deteriorating value system in the country, saying the agency planned to introduce drug testing in schools as part of efforts to tackle drug abuse among youths.

The NDLEA boss expressed appreciation to the government of Kano for its commitment in tackling drug sales and abuse as well as for renovating the agency’s Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Kano.