World drug abuse day: Group rehabilitates 200 addicts

From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

Founder of Life Challenge Intervention Outreach, Mr. Ejikeme McBishop Ogueji has said his organization is to rehabilitate 200 drug addicts in Kaduna in order to make them useful citizens.
He stated this during the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking held in Kaduna yesterday.
According to him, youth who have been under drug influence pass through three stages of prevention, counseling and rehabilitation. He added that some of the drug addicts who have been rehabilitated are currently serving in the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force.
Ogueji further disclosed that the Centre is to establish a farm in Kaduna state where former drug addicts will work and receive salaries in order to help them take care of their immediate needs.
He called on governments at all levels to take the problem of youth involvement in drug abuse serious because that is the only sure way to reduce crime rate in the society.
However, a drug addict, Samaila Kasca disagreed with Ogueji, saying not all drug addicts are criminals. According to him, he is addicted to Marijuana but not involved in any crime; rather he is a rapper who will soon launch an album.
Another addict, Musa Joshua said he decided to go into drug addiction because of negligence on the part of government. Joshua said he finished his secondary school and all efforts to secure admission into the tertiary institution proves abortive, so he started taking drugs and now he is a dealer and will only stop if government provide alternative to him because that is where he gets money to feed himself and sibling.
Similarly, an addict who will not want his name on print said government should take the largest part of blame of drug addiction among the youth. According to him, there is poverty in the land, religious crises and other problems lure the youth into addiction. He express dismay that politicians are not helping matters as the see addicts as handy political thugs they use and dump.
Also speaking, Chairman, Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Sabo Ward, Zango Rabo said ‘Kanti Aga’ is a black spot for addicts and one of the largest in North-West.
He however said in recent times, the drug addicts have tried to make themselves useful to the community by engaging in vigilante and community services. He express satisfaction that efforts of Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) is yielding positive results because the number of addicts have reduced drastically.
‘Kantia Aga’ came alive as the addicts display drugs and openly consume it to show the world what transpire behind light.