Agency Report
No fewer than 3,500 persons are currently undergoing various rehabilitation and reintegration programmes at the Kano State Reformative Centre, Kiru, the Coordinator of the Centre, Ms Cheryl Aminta-Kwagga, has said.
Aminta-Kwagga disclosed this on Wednesday in Kano during a one-day capacity-building workshop organised for the 44 local government chairmen in the state.
The training, themed “United Against Drug Abuse: A Collective Community-Based Strategy of Drug Abuse Rehabilitation and Reintegration — Local Solutions, United Strength: Combating Drug Abuse Through Grassroots Leadership,” sought to strengthen the role of local authorities in addressing drug abuse at the community level.
She said the centre adopts a comprehensive rehabilitation approach that combines medical treatment, counselling, and vocational skills acquisition to ensure full recovery and reintegration of clients into society.
“Proper rehabilitation lasts for six months, followed by another six months of reintegration, during which clients are trained in various trades and monitored for stability,” she said.
Aminta-Kwagga added that the centre had expanded its operations with a new reformative facility in Gaya, while plans were underway to establish additional centres across the three senatorial districts of the state.
According to her, the decision to train local government chairmen was aimed at deepening community participation and ensuring that grassroots leaders take ownership of the campaign against drug abuse.
“Across our communities, drug abuse continues to destroy families, fuel insecurity, and weaken the productive capacity of our youths. This calls for coordinated action at all levels,” she said.
She described local government chairmen as key stakeholders in the fight against drug abuse, being closest to the people and best positioned to promote prevention, rehabilitation, and reintegration initiatives.
“This training equips you with practical tools to translate policies into measurable actions that can restore hope and stability within our communities,” she added.
Declaring the workshop open, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Alhaji Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, said the programme reflected the state government’s commitment to tackling drug abuse through inclusive and community-driven strategies.
He said the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was determined to strengthen institutions that promote rehabilitation and reintegration of victims of substance abuse.
“The theme of this programme is both timely and strategic. Drug abuse is not only a health challenge but also a social and security threat that requires local action and collaboration,” he said.
Also speaking, the Kano State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abubakar Idris Ahmad, represented by DCN Maimuna Garba Muhammad, described drug abuse as a major public health and social concern.
He said the NDLEA would continue to work closely with local governments, community leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure a drug-free society.
“Our collective responsibility is to ensure that no community is left behind in this campaign against drug abuse,” he added.