The Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, has expressed support for Kaduna State Bureau for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (KADBUSA) in its effort to prevent drug abuse, treat and rehabilitate victims.
The Emir, who is also Chairman of the Kaduna State Council of Chiefs gave the assurance of his support when he received on a courtesy visit the management of KADBUSA at the Emirate’s Council Chamber, Zaria on Wednesday.
The Emir who expressed worries at the rate of drug abuse in the state particularly among married women said, some of those who engage in the use of illicit drugs may be doing so out of frustration.
He commended KADBUSA management for doing a good job towards preventing drug abuse, adding that the establishment of the bureau is a very strategic move which he hoped will help greatly towards having a drug free society.
“I am more worried by the fact that most married women have now taken to drug abuse which is totally unacceptable. Your message is well understood and as an emirate, you can always count on our support in the fight against drug abuse and taking of illicit drugs,” he said.
The Director General of KADBUSA, Dr. Joseph Maigari, lamented that the use of illicit drugs is destroying the people, noting that the bureau is doing everything possible to prevent new cases of drug abuse and treatment of those already addicted to drug abuse.
According to him, “in 2020, 10.9% of Kaduna residents have drug abuse problem, one third (1/3) of women in the state have drug abuse problem, 14.4% of the total population of Nigerians have drug abuse problem, while one fourth (1/4) of women in Nigeria have drug abuse related problems.
“As part of our mandate towards preventing and reducing drug abuse in the state, we are here to solicit the support of the Zazzau Emirate and for the Emir to add his voice to the fight against drug abuse.
“The governor has graciously rehabilitated four centres and established two new ones with one of them located in Zaria, so if the demand for illicit drugs is reduced, it will affect the supply as supply will also reduce,” he said.
