Unukere Oboh
In its effort to have a drastic and effective reduction on illicit drug addiction, Kano State Government has confiscated and destroyed expired and illicit drugs worth N5 billion at over 15 destruction exercises held across the State.
Kano State Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje declared at the destruction exercise of fake, counterfeit and abusive drugs substances which took place at the NDLEA premises in Kano.
Ganduje represented by his Deputy, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna observed that the menace of drugs abuse, illicit drugs, substandard and fake drugs is something that is worrisome; stressing that the Government would continue to do everything possible to control the situation.
“I want to say that to this time, those illicit and expired drugs worth over N5billion have been confiscated and destroyed in Kano. Today as we are witnessing again, fake, expired, unwholesome and abusive drugs through seizure, confiscation and forfeiture worth N543 million are going to be destroyed “he announced.
He attributed the success to the commitment of the present administration through its taskforce committee on counterfeit, fake and unwholesome processed food which had been working tirelessly to rid the State from abusive drugs.
Ganduje said “The committee specifically consists of members from the Nigeria Police force, Civil Defence, KAROTA, Hisbah, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, NAFDAC, PCN, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Justice, vigilante and the community.”
He said the State had made it clear and mandated that all employments and appointments by the State should now be subject to confirmatory laboratory result of non-drug use, adding that “This administration is also on the process of establishing Drug Abuse Control Agency to have an effective drug demand reduction and supply reduction services.”
Ganduje further appreciated the effort of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, Kano State Branch for their active support to the Government’s Programmes which are meant to address the issue of drugs abuse in the State.
Earlier, the State Commissioner Ministry for Health Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa explained that the drug abuse control basically consists of three major components that include demand reduction, supply reduction and harm reduction.
To achieve better result, Dr. Tsanyawa reiterated the determination of the State Ministry of Health in partnering with all necessary Stakeholders particularly the three Federal regulatory agencies namely PCN, NAFDAC, NDLEA and the Security Agencies in ridding the State of the menace of drugs abuse, fake and counterfeit products.
