The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa has said that about two million drug addicts, representing 16 per cent prevalence, are in Kano state.
Marwa made the disclosure when he paid a courtesy visit to the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Monday, August 30.
Speaking during the meeting, Marwa said
“In Kano State, drug abuse prevalence is 16 per cent, that is, in every six persons, one is a drug addict and they are between the ages of 15 years and 64 years.
Kano State has close to two million drug users abusing tramadol, codeine and other cough syrups, rather than cannabis.
I will like to mention here that since I assumed leadership of NDLEA in January, we have seized over two million kilogrammes of assorted drugs, estimated at billions of naira.
Eight thousand people were arrested and 1,600 are now serving jail terms in correctional service facilities, and we are still working.
Drug abuse has gone to the level of destroying our families unless is tackled with all seriousness it deserves,’’ he said.
According to him, the use of drugs fuels criminal activities ranging from banditry to kidnapping and armed robbery, among others. He commended the Kano State government for being a worthy partner in tackling drug abuse.
Marwa urged the state government to make legislation that would prevent politicians from giving drugs to youths. He also urged the government to make legislation on compulsory drug abuse tests for intending couples, also as part of measures to fight against drug. abuse.
