Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has expressed his administration’s commitment to ending drug abuse.

Mr Ganduje said this while declaring open a day of sensitisation on mental health and substance abuse among youths, organised by the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters, on Monday in Kano.

The governor was represented by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Mariya Mahmud-Bunkure.

He said his administration had initiated some policies to curtail the menace of substance abuse in the state.

“We have provided a counselling and treatment centre for drug addicts, in addition to establishing a Female Anti-drug Ambassadors Committee.

“The committee is collaborating with community-based organisations (CBOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to raise awareness on mental health and substance abuse,” the governor said.

According to him, mental health and substance abuse are major problems bedevilling individuals, communities and nations.

Mr Ganduje emphasised the need for more efforts on mental health, adding that substance abuse could lead to criminal activities, delinquency and other social vices.

“Preparations have reached an advanced stage for the smooth take up of Kano Drug Addiction and Control Agency (DACA), under the state ministry of health,” he said.

The governor called on youths to be conscious of drug abuse and take responsibility for their own mental health and well-being, urging all stakeholders to work together to fight against drug abuse.

Speaking at the occasion, the governor’s wife, Hafsat Ganduje, said that the state Female Anti-drug Ambassadors and Mental Health committees were working assiduously through media engagements to create awareness.

Also speaking, the special adviser on health matters, Fauziyya Idris-Buba, said mental health issues could adversely affect individuals, irrespective of age, gender or social status.

(NAN)