Northern youths to sponsor bill banning illicit drugs production

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has resolved to sponsor a bill for the total ban of manufacture, distribution, retail and consumption of illicit drugs and harmful substances in Kano State.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, the National Coordinator of the Coalition, Balarabe Rufa'i, said the decision became imperative following rising cases of drug abuse among youths in the state.

Rufa'i said, "It will be recalled that in October last year, a Senate public hearing was held in Kano on the proliferation and abuse of drugs and other harmful substances in Northern Nigeria. Majority of experts' views at the hearing agreed that unemployment is the major cause of drug abuse among youths.

"At the conclusion, a huge expectation was laid on the Senate to effect a number of legal amendments to provide the enabling framework for the relevant arms of government and agencies to tackle the drug abuse menace."

He however lamented that months after the public hearing the rate of unemployment had kept on rising in the region especially in Kano state, and called on the Senate to urgently act on the recommendations made at the Kano public hearing with a view to addressing the menace.

"We plan to liaise with the legislators at all levels to follow up this matter to its logical conclusion," he assured.