In a powerful collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Zamfara State Chapter, has flagged off a statewide sensitization and awareness campaign on drug and substance abuse tagged “Zamfara Youth Against Drug Abuse Program (Z-YADAP)”.
A statement signed by Comrade Mahmud A Lawal, Public Relations Officer 11NYCN Zamfara state said the program is aimed at curbing the alarming rise of drug abuse among adolescents and young people in Zamfara State.
The program, which commenced with a pilot phase across selected secondary schools in Gusau, is designed to cover all 14 Local Government Areas of the State. The initiative focuses on adolescent youth, particularly students in secondary schools, where research has shown that most cases of drug initiation begin.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 2023 World Drug Report, over 14.4 million Nigerians aged 15–64 have used psychoactive substances other than alcohol, with 1 in every 4 drug users being a youth. Similarly, data from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) indicates that nearly 40% of drug-related arrests in Nigeria involve individuals aged between 15 and 29 years.
“These figures are not just alarming; they are a call to urgent action,” said Comrade Nurudeen Salisu, Chairman of NYCN Zamfara State.
“As enshrined in the National Youth Policy, youth development entails promoting health, education, and productivity by combating all social vices that hinder their potential. Drug abuse undermines these objectives, destroys families, and weakens the foundation of our society.
”The Z-YADAP campaign is part of NYCN’s effort to complement the state government’s commitment to tackling drug abuse, especially with the constitution of the State Committee to Combat Drug Abuse chaired by Her Excellency, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, a major step that underscores the administration’s youth-friendly resolve.
The Council commended the NDLEA Zamfara State Command for its professionalism, expertise, and presence during the sensitization sessions, noting that their presentations deeply impacted the students and inspired greater awareness of the dangers of drug abuse.
Similarly, the Council appreciated the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, ably led by Honourable Tasiu Musa Shinkafi, whose representation at the event reaffirmed the Ministry’s statutory role as the supervisory body of youth activities in the state.
The State Chairman emphasized that NYCN remains resolute in its mission to empower Zamfara youth with knowledge and consciousness to become productive members of society.
“We are determined to make Zamfara a drug-free state by working hand in hand with the NDLEA, the Ministry of Youth, the Office of the First Lady, and other partners to ensure our young people live healthy, purposeful lives,” he stated.
The next phase of the program will cover secondary schools in Maru Local Government, as the Council continues its outreach across all senatorial zones of the state.
