The Northern Governors Wives Forum has applauded the Federal Ministry of Health for its recent decision to ban importation and production of codeine, saying the ban ‘is a major decision in the fight against drug abuse among youths in the country.
Chairperson of the forum and wife of the Bauchi state governor, Hadiza Mohammed Abubakar, stated this in a statement issued to newsmen by her Press Secretary, Rashida Yusuf. Hajiya Abubakar, who described drug addiction as a canker worm that has eaten deep into the fabric of our society, stated that the Northern Governors Wives Forum has made the fight against drug abuse its priority intervention project. She added that the forum, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, has taken a holistic approach to curbing drug abuse in the country, particularly in the North where it is more pronounced.
“Following a UNODC training for all northern governors wives, six states (Benue, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kogi and Bauchi) are at various stages of implementing the work plan,” she noted. She further said that steps taken by the forum to eradicate the menace included, establishment of drug control committee, drug community volunteer scheme, skills acquisition centres as well as provision of female rehabilitation wing. “The centers are expected to among other things rehabilitate victims of drug abuse by providing them with counselling and moral support to enable them become useful members of the society,” she said. The forum implored stakeholders involved in the fight against drug abuse to put all hands on deck to achieve the target of a drug-free society, urging parents, particularly to monitor their wards with a view to nipping in the bud detected untoward behaviou