Sokoto Sets up Task Force to Curb Use of Illicit Drugs

Sokoto State Government in collaboration with the National Drug  Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has set up a task force to checkmate the practice of illicit drug use by youths in the state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Balarabe Kakale, made this known during a chat with journalists in Sokoto on Tuesday.

He said the task force has a monthly cash allocation of N500,000 and a dedicated vehicle to conduct activities according to the National Drug Control Master Plan strategic objectives of law enforcement, drug demand reduction and availability, control of narcotics drugs and substances for medical purposes.

Kakale explained that the task force has a membership that cut across all stakeholders ranging from traditional and religious leaders, security agencies, educationists, drug regulatory agencies and local government officials.

He said already the task force had closed many shops at Mami market which served as major sources of illicit drugs in the state.

Kakale stated that this was in addition to conduct of regular raids of drug hawkers within Sokoto and its environs.

"The task force members also conduct regular inspection visits to pharmaceutical premises, patent medicine stores and other suspected sources to identify who is involved in the illicit trade and take necessary action.

"They are also collaborating with traditional leader and religious leaders to tackle the menace of drug abuse and misuse by creating awareness through Friday sermons and community meetings,"he said.

He called on the federal government to ban the sale of codeine syrup in the country.

The Commissioner  decried the negative effects of codeine on the youths and stressed the need for it to be banned in the country.

"The federal government should ban the sale of codeine in Nigeria because they are not life saving drugs,"he added.