According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), 172 youths in Zamfara State have suffered psychological disorders as a result of drug abuse in the last six years.
Mr Ladan Hashim, the NDLEA’s Deputy Commander of Narcotics and Assistant State Commander, Drug Demand Reduction in Zamfara, said the agency had referred many patients to psychiatric hospitals for treatment on Thursday, October 28.
Mr Ladan spoke at the Zamfara State College of Health Science and Technology during a seminar titled “War Against Drug Abuse with Students as Positive Agents of Change.”
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He said that between January and September, 221 arrests were made, with 211 males and 10 females, and that 152 people were rehabilitated.
According to Ladan, 14 psychiatric patients will be recorded in 2020, and society should regard drug abuse victims as sick patients instead of criminals.
“A victim of drug abuse, therefore, needs our collective empathy, understanding, and support in order to facilitate timely intervention and recovery through treatment, care, and social integration,” he said.
“Many of our youths are now jailed, some are in rehab facilities, and a large number have developed one or more ailment, such as throat cancer, liver damage, or kidney damage. In this case, the best or safest solution is for everyone to take drugs that were recommended by doctors “Added he.