Drug Abuse:Centre Trains Kano LG Chairmen To Combat Menace
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Kano Reformative Centre,Kiru, on Wednesday conducted a capacity building workshop for Chairmen of the 44 local governments in the state on how to combat drug abuse in their respective domains.
With the theme:”United Against Drug Abuse:A Collective Community-Based Strategy for Rehabilitation and Reintegration,”the one-day workshop was designed to equip the local council leaders “with practical knowledge, strategies, and tools that can be translated into real, measurable action plans,” within their respective local government areas.
The Coordinator of the Centre,Cheryl Aminta Kwagga,said the gathering brought together not only the leadership of the 44 local governments but also “the assembly of committed minds determined to tackle one of the most pressing social challenges confronting our communities – the menace of drug abuse and the urgent need for rehabilitation and reintegration.”
According to Kwagga,the programme came at the right time pointing out that, “Across our towns and villages, we are witnessing how drug abuse erodes the moral fabric of our society, destroys families, fuels insecurity, and cripples the potential of our youth who are supposed to be the driving force of our nation’s future.
“This is not just a health issue; it is a community, economic, and security issue that demands coordinated and sustained action.
“As local government chairmen, you stand at the forefront of this fight. You are the closest to the people, the first responders to their needs, and the key actors in shaping community-level solutions.
“This training is designed to equip you with practical knowledge, strategies, and tools that can be translated into real, measurable action plans within your respective local governments. We are here not only to understand the problem but to chart a collective path forward – one that prioritizes prevention, rehabilitation, and reintegration of affected individuals into society,” she said.
The Coordinator hailed the collaboration between the Centre and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the medical and psychological experts, the academia, security professionals, civil society organizations, and community leaders whom she said had joined hands to make the initiative possible.
In his remarks,the Deputy Governor of the state, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo,said the workshop reflected “our shared commitment to strengthening local leadership and building a united front against one of the most pressing challenges facing our communities today: drug abuse.”
Represented by the state Commissioner of Youths and Sports Development, Alhaji Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Deputy Governor said,”Drug abuse is not merely a health issue; it is a social, economic, and security concern that affects families, disrupts communities, and undermines the future of our youth.
“Confronting this menace requires a coordinated and multi-sectoral approach, with local governments playing a pivotal role. Local government chairmen are the closest tier of leadership to the people. Your position gives you the unique ability to influence, mobilize, and lead community-based responses.
“This training is therefore aimed at equipping you with the knowledge, skills, and reformative strategies required to effectively combat drug abuse at the grassroots.
“I commend the Kano Reformative Centre, Kiru, for organizing this laudable programme,”Comrade Gwarzo added.