An NGO, the International Institute of Islamic Thought Nigeria (IIIT), has proposed solutions to address substance abuse disorders among drug users in Kano State, North West Nigeria.
Dr. Idris Salisu Rogo from the Department of Education at Bayero University Kano presented a Hybrid Rehabilitation Model for treating individuals with substance use disorders at a seminar organized by IIIT on the 26th February 2024.
Rogo, the Executive Director of Almustaqbal Rehabilitation and Psychotherapy Clinic Kano, emphasized the importance of implementing comprehensive solutions to tackle the root causes of drug abuse.
He highlighted that Nigeria has an estimated 14.3 million people aged 15 to 64 with substance use disorders, urging serious policy rejuvenation and innovative approaches in the fight against drug abuse.
Dr. Rogo called on the Nigerian Government to involve culture, tradition, and religion in rehabilitating individuals with substance use disorders, identifying occupational therapy as another key element in combating drug use.
He stressed the need for well-equipped rehabilitation centers in Kano and Nigeria, offering a holistic approach to recovery.
Commander Abubakar Idris of the National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Kano expressed satisfaction with the Rehabilitation Model, stating it will significantly contribute to the fight against drug abuse.
Saidu Ahmad Dukawa, the National Coordinator of IIIT Nigeria, emphasized the NGO’s determination to provide reliable solutions to the drug use problem, urging collective efforts for success.
Other stakeholders advocated for moral values and cultural reorientation within the family system as a means of countering peer group pressure.