The Kano State Government has pledged its support for The Recovery Hub, a newly established foundation dedicated to combating drug abuse, supporting people affected by substance use and raising awareness about its dangers.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, made the commitment on Wednesday during the official launch of The Recovery Hub in Kano, describing the fight against drug abuse as a priority for the state government.
Yusuf said the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was concerned about the negative impact of drug abuse on public health and the future of young people, stressing the need for concerted efforts to address the problem.
He said the state government would continue to collaborate with relevant organisations and agencies working to reduce drug abuse in Kano State.
Speaking at the launch, the founder of The Recovery Hub, Dr Abdullahi Akilu, a psychiatrist at Dawanau Hospital, Kano, expressed concern over the growing rate of drug abuse in society, particularly among young people.
Akilu said drug abuse had become a major public health concern requiring collective efforts from government, relevant agencies, health professionals, communities and other stakeholders.
He explained that The Recovery Hub was established to provide free support and care for people affected by drug abuse, while educating the public on the dangers associated with substance use.
According to him, more than 15 per cent of Nigeria’s population is affected by drug use, describing the situation as one of the major reasons behind the establishment of the foundation.
He said the hub would focus on awareness campaigns, rehabilitation support and helping people recovering from substance abuse to reintegrate into society.
“We want to create an avenue where people affected by drug abuse can receive the necessary support and have a better chance of recovering and returning to normal life,” he said.
Also speaking during the launch, the Chairman of the Kano State Inter-Agency Committee on Combating Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, pledged the committee’s collaboration with The Recovery Hub.
Rimingado said collaboration among government agencies, civil society organisations, communities and other stakeholders was essential to tackling drug abuse and preventing young people from falling victim to substance use.
He called on parents, teachers and community leaders to intensify efforts to educate young people about the dangers of drug abuse and encourage those affected to seek professional help.
In their goodwill messages, participants at the launch described the establishment of The Recovery Hub as timely, noting that the growing challenge of drug abuse required sustained awareness, rehabilitation and community-based interventions.
They called on government agencies, organisations, communities and individuals to support the hub and contribute to its efforts to address drug abuse and help affected persons recover and reintegrate into society.