The Northern Governor’s Wives Forum has applauded the recent ban on the importation and production of codeine by the Federal Ministry of Health, saying that it’s a major breakthrough and success in the fight against drug abuse and addiction bedeviling the country.
The forum’s Chairperson, the Bauchi State Governor’s Wife, Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed Abubakar, described drug abuse as a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabric of the society.
She said that their forum made the fight against drug abuse its priority intervention project.
Through her Press Secretary, Rashida Yusuf, the chairperson said that the forum in collaboration with relevant stakeholders took a holistic approach to curbing the menace of drug abuse in the country, particularly in the North where it’s more pronounced and prevalent.
“Following a UNODC Training for all Northern Governors Wives, all the states are at various stages of implementing the work plan,” she said.
According to her, among the steps taken, Benue, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, and Bauchi states have each carried one or more of the following drugs committees, setting up drug community volunteer scheme, skills acquisitions and drop-in-centres as well as provision of female rehabilitation wing.
She added that the centres are expected to among other things to rehabilitate victims of drug abuse by providing them with counselling and moral support to enable them get reintegrated into their various societies and become useful members of their communities.
The governor’s wife urged stakeholders involved in the fight against the menace of drug abuse to put all hands on deck to achieve the target of drug-free society, while urging parents to monitor their children and wards with a view to nipping in the bud detected untoward behaviors.
