Kaduna intensifies war on drug abuse, share free Harm reduction drugs worth N50m
By Hussaina Yakubu
November .12, 2025
The Kaduna State Government has committed ₦50 million to the fight against drug abuse across the state’s 23 local government areas, in a renewed effort to curb the growing menace, particularly among youths and women.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadiq Mamman Lagos, disclosed this during the official handover of medical commodities to the Kaduna State Bureau for Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment (KADBUSA) in Kaduna on Wednesday.
Lagos said the fund, provided by Governor Uba Sani’s administration and supported by local government councils, was used to procure medical supplies and harm reduction commodities that would be distributed free of charge to people struggling with drug dependence across the state.
“The government of Kaduna State under the leadership of Sen. Uba Sani, has put in ₦50 million through our ministry, with contributions from the local governments, to purchase drugs and other materials to fight drug abuse,” the Commissioner said.
“This initiative is not for sale. It is completely free. The government is not a profit organization.
“We are providing these drugs as part of our campaign promise to promote discipline and tackle social vices, including drug abuse,” he added.
Lagos explained that the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs oversees the activities of all 255 primary healthcare centres in the 23 local government areas, hence its involvement in health related programmes.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining the initiative throughout the administration, noting that the fight against drug abuse was central to the state’s broader campaign for discipline and youth development.
The Commissioner further appealed to parents and community leaders to complement government’s efforts by monitoring and supporting young people at risk of drug use.
“Government alone cannot do it. Families, parents, and community members must help us. Everyone has a role to play,” Lagos emphasized.
He added that the intervention reflects the state government’s “People First” agenda and its focus on human capital development, pledging that Governor Uba Sani’s administration will “do even more” in the coming years.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of KADBUSA, Dr. Joseph Ike, said the commodities received were part of a Harm Reduction Programme aimed at mitigating the health and social impacts of drug use.
According to him, the supplies will cater for 1,000 individuals, helping to reduce risks of infectious diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C among drug users.
“Harm Reduction is a compassionate, evidence,based approach that minimizes the health and social consequences of substance use,” Ike explained.
“These commodities are essential for preventing diseases, creating pathways to recovery, and strengthening community health by reducing the spread of infections.”
He commended Governor Uba Sani’s leadership for institutionalizing mental health and substance abuse reforms through the Kaduna State Mental Health Law and the establishment of the Kaduna State Mental Health and Substance Abuse Agency (KADSAMHSA) initiatives he described as part of the “Kaduna Model” for integrated public health care.
Ike also appreciated the support of Society for Family Health (SFH) and other partners implementing the Reward Project, which focuses on women who use drugs, noting that their community based outreach remains vital to the state’s anti drug efforts.
The DG assured that KADBUSA and its partners would deploy the commodities with “utmost diligence, strategic focus, and accountability,” to achieve lasting impact. (NAN)