An NGO, Al-Mustaqbal Psycotheraphy and Councelling Services Center, would establish a center for the rehabilitation of drug addicts free of charge in Tsanyawa Local Government area of Kano State.
The Managing Director of the center, Dr Idris Salisu-Rogo, made the disclosure on Thursday while inspecting the site for the center.
Salisu-Rogo said the decision was sequel to the report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which showed that there were three million drug addicts in the North west.
“Out of the number, 1.7 are in Kano State, and the rehabilitation centers in the state can only cater for 5,000 addicts.
“Also, one out of every five drug addicts, is a female, according to the report,” he said.
He added that the NGO had held extensive discussions with psychologists, psychiatric nurses, religious leaders, traditional rulers and philanthropists, among others, on the way out.
The managing director said that a philanthropist, Alhaji Shehu Ashaka, donated two hectares of land for the establishment of the center while others had pledged to construct it within one year.
Salisu-Rogo said that when completed, the centre would counsel, treat and rehabilitate drug addicts, as well as offer them skills training.
“We also have religious scholars who will teach them Quran and Islamic knowledge, so that by the time they come out of the center, they can be able to preach to others on the dangers associated with the menace.
“We will train the affected persons about 13 different trades, so that they can become self-reliant after the rehabilitation,” he added.
He explained that the center would also accept drug addicts from neighbouring states like Katsina and Zamfara.
Salisu-Rogo identified unemployment on the part of males, and divorce on the part of females, as some of the major causes of drug abuse in the state.
In his remarks, the District Head of Tsanyawa, Alhaji Muawiya Abbas-Sanusi, thanked the initiators for joining hands to solve one of the greatest problems affecting the society.
He urged parents to ensure proper upbringing of their children, for them to contribute positively to the society.
On his part, the Chairman, Tsanyawa Local Government, Alhaji Kabiru Sulaiman, pledged to support the initiative.(NAN)
