Plateau To Establish Mental Health Department To Tackle Drug Abuse

Jos, June 26, 2024(NAN) Dr Cletus Shurkuk, Plateau’s Commissioner for Health, says the state’s Ministry of Health, will establish a mental health department to tackle the rising spate of drug abuse in the state.

Shurkuk said this on Wednesday at the commemoration of the 2024 International Day against Drug Abuse, organised by the ministry in Jos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Day with the theme titled “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention’’, is observed annually on every June 26.

The commissioner said the establishment of a mental health department in the ministry of health was a means of preventing the rising spate of drug abuse in Plateau State.

According to him, the department will be at the fore in combating factors that predispose people especially youths to the abuse of drugs.

“According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in 2023 Plateau had a prevalence of 11 per cent rate of drug abuse.’’

Shurkuk said that drug abuse prevention was the most suitable and cost effective way that saved from the rigors and pain of rehabilitation, thereby breaking the cycle of drug related crimes and violence on the plateau.

Shurkuk appealed to other stakeholders to synergise in the fight against the menace to create an environment where young people could thrive free from the grip of drug addiction and abuse.

He called on those engaged in the nefarious act to desist from such, due to the various implications associated with the act.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the ministry held a sensitisation walk to commemorate the day. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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