Plateau North Stakeholders Join Forces to Address Drug Abuse, Urge Stronger Governance Measures

The Sound Minds Medical and Rehabilitation Initiative (SOMMRI), in collaboration with the Plateau State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, on Tuesday, 2nd September, 2025, held a one-day workshop in Jos to address the rising tide of drug abuse and its devastating impact on governance, security, and community development. The event, themed “Impact of Drug Abuse on Local Governance,” was held at Crispan Events and Suites.

The workshop, which marked the conclusion of a series that had earlier taken place in Plateau’s Southern and Central zones, brought together key stakeholders in the Northern Zone. Attendees included members of the Plateau Youth Council (PYC), traditional and religious leaders, security agencies, local government directors of health and social services, council secretaries, and community representatives.

Drug Abuse and Its Alarming Trends

Nurse Ndak Zuhumnan Andarawus, popularly known as Nurse Kizito and Program Manager of the Plateau State Malaria Eradication Project, led the technical session. As a SOMMRI volunteer, he painted a sobering picture of substance abuse in Nigeria and Plateau State, stressing that psychoeducation and community-led interventions were critical in dismantling drug syndicates.

“Globally, about 247 million people used drugs in 2014, with 28 million suffering from drug use disorders. In Nigeria today, one in every seven persons aged 15–64 is involved in drug abuse,” Kizito explained. He noted that after Kano, Plateau records the second-highest rate of drug use in the country, with cannabis topping the list of abused substances.

According to him, almost every community in Jos has “jungles” where drugs are freely consumed, creating insecurity and fueling criminal activity. He linked drug use to violent crimes, armed robbery, and worsening social vices. “Most perpetrators of crime in Plateau and beyond admit they would not have committed such acts without being under the influence of drugs,” he said.

Kizito also warned of health dangers such as drug-induced psychosis, hallucinations, liver damage, miscarriages, and mental instability. He urged a collective response: “If stakeholders unite to end drug sales, the menace will fade. This fight must start from our homes, schools, and neighborhoods.”

Expert Insights on Risk Factors and Solutions

Clinical Psychologist Mafai Dauboyi highlighted family-related risks, including poor parenting and exposure to alcohol at home, while emphasizing the role of positive role models and structured community activities as protective factors.

Consultant Psychiatrist Prof. Nwoga Charles of the University of Jos provided an in-depth breakdown of drug types—stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and alcohol—warning of their severe effects. “Marijuana alone contains over 400 harmful substances. Substance abuse erodes health, relationships, and productivity, trapping individuals in cycles of dependence and societal decline,” he said.

Prof. Charles also challenged government to establish rehabilitation centers across Plateau, lamenting the absence of public-owned facilities. “Treatment is expensive, and private centers cannot carry the burden alone,” he noted. He recommended early awareness, community rehabilitation centers, and routine testing for public office aspirants, arguing that drug use among leaders negatively affects governance and decision-making.

Stakeholder Responses

Pharmacist Gyang Samuel Ishaya, Executive Secretary of Jos North Local Government Council, said the program was timely, given the scale of drug use in the area. “Our problem in Jos North is not ethnic or religious. It is drugs. We are losing brilliant youths, including graduates, to addiction,” he lamented, calling on government and traditional leaders to build on the workshop’s outcomes.

Rt. Hon. Aseno Amos, Speaker of the Plateau Youth Council, emphasized the importance of sustained sensitization. “Many of our youths in correctional and rehabilitation centers are there because of drugs. We need more of these programs to save the future,” he said, linking unemployment and insecurity to drug abuse and urging the private sector to complement government efforts in creating jobs.

Traditional rulers also decried the accessibility of illicit drugs and appealed for synergy between councils, security agencies, and faith institutions. Christian (CAN) and Muslim (JNI) representatives stressed the moral and spiritual dimensions of the crisis, pledging to use their platforms for prevention and rehabilitation.

Resolutions and Way Forward

Participants called for stronger by-laws at the local government level, increased powers and funding for the NDLEA, and consistent enforcement of regulations. They also advocated for the revival of youth-centered initiatives such as debates, quizzes, and community events to engage young people productively.

The organizers distributed questionnaires during the workshop, assuring participants that their feedback would shape government policies. Plans are also underway to establish a state-owned rehabilitation and prevention center to address the growing challenge.

In his closing remarks, Nurse Kizito expressed optimism that the deliberations would inform actionable recommendations for Plateau State Government. “We cannot fold our hands while drug abuse destroys our youths and threatens governance. This workshop is just the beginning of a coordinated response,” he said.