The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says about 172 youths who abused drugs have developed psychiatric problems in the last six years in Zamfara State.
The NDLEA’s Deputy Commander of Narcotics in the state, Ladan Hashim, disclosed this on Thursday while speaking during a program at the Zamfara State College of Health Science and Technology.
According to a report by Daily Trust, Mr Ladan, who is also the Assistant State Commander on Drug Demand Reduction, said NDLEA in Zamfara had referred many patients to psychiatric hospitals for treatment.
Mr Ladan noted that from January to September, 221 drug users were arrested, adding that 211 of them are males while 10 are females.
He said: “Therefore, a victim of drug abuse needs our collective empathy, understanding and support to facilitate timely intervention and recovery through treatment, care and social integration.
“Many of our youths are now in jails, some in treatments centres and a good number have developed one ailment or the other such as cancer of throat, liver or kidney damage.
“In this case, the best or safest way is for everyone to use drugs based on medical prescription by professionals,” he said.
