Addressing the community pharmacists before the exercise, the wife of the governor, Her Excellency, Dr Hafsat Abdulahi Umar Ganduje, who was represented by Hajia Bilkisu Shehu Maimota, permanent secretary, Research, Evaluation and Political Affairs (REPA), office of the secretary to the state government, congratulated the ACPN on its 38th Annual National Conference, and noted that the government of Kano State, was leaving nothing to chance, in its effort to dissuade youths from engaging in drug abuse.

According to her, the State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has set up a state-owned anti-drug agency that will work hand-in-hand with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to fight drug abuse in the state, noting that the governor regretted that Kano has become vulnerable to drug abuse.

She added that the challenge of drug abuse has been contemporary problem commonly found among youths in the state, saying the state government has launched several campaigns to show that his administration is ready to wage war against all forms of drug abuse. “According to statistics, “Kano is vulnerable to drug abuse and as part of our efforts to combat the menace, Kano is establishing an agency that will collaborate with relevant agencies to fight drug abuse”, she said.

The first lady added that the youth group is the largest population that is vulnerable in the state as far as drug and alcohol issues are concerned, stressing that their health and optimal development is critical to national development agenda and deserves significant attention. “Hence, the state would not fold its arms and watch the scourge continue.

“As a mother, lecturer and wife of the governor, I am seriously worried about the menace, particularly among the teeming youths which represent over 60 percent population base of this country. More worrisome is the recent discovery that women also form part of the bandwagon, which makes the issue more worrisome and disturbing, considering the primary role of women in instilling parental discipline in our children,” she said.

While speaking, the National Chairman, ACPN, Pharm. Samuel Adekola disclosed that drug abuse is one of the greatest challenges the country is facing presently, adding that there is no better time than now to start sensitizing the younger ones about the dangers inherent in it, as it has become a big menace to the society.

He explained the goals of the ‘Walk against Drug Abuse” exercise, which was organized to inform and enlightened the public about the dangers inherent in drug abuse and to kick-start its annual national conference in the state. He further implored parents and members of the society, not to stop creating awareness among their children and youths respectively, on the dangers of drug abuse, adding that parents should monitor their children closely if they must effectively tackle drug use against them.

Adekola emphasized the roles of pharmacists in the management of drug, stating that they are the primary custodians of medicines, and as such, they have the responsibility to speak against drug abuse and misuse in the society.

The ACPN boss further decried the increase in drug abuse in Kano State, saying the state government,  should not relent on his oars in ensuring that the state is rid of drug abuse menace, adding that the state government should ensure to partner with associations like ACPN in order to create needed awareness and campaign against the menace.

Source: Pharmanews