By; KATO P. LADAN, Kaduna
The Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Kaduna Chapter, on Wednesday, organised a musical street show to draw attention to the adverse effects of drug abuse on victims and society.
The Kaduna artistes, Ranking Deezed, Dan Realman, Ben Chris, Candy I, Da Priest, Sara Yaks, Kephas Rock, Tremor, Nigga Dee and Sammy, V Time Fire, Mr Cool and Bounce performed during the show.
The state PMAN Governor, Dazang Gwom, said the event was organised to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
According to him, the concert is a new dimension introduced to sensitise young people through music on how indulging in drug abuse would ruin their lives.
Gwom said that illicit drug consumption had reached troubling levels, fueling crimes and risky behaviour that could harm youths and society.
“It is therefore, very important for PMAN and relevant key stakeholders to join hands with government to tackle this menace, which is on the rise daily, before it completely destroys our society,” he said.
While acknowledging that some celebrities had been linked to drugs, Gwom, clarified that not all entertainers are involved in such a lifestyle.
Aishatu Saleh, Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), commended PMAN for collaborating with the agency to fight drug abuse.
Saleh said that if drug menace amongst the youths was not promptly addressed as a national priority, the consequences could be dire.
She said: “The current level of crimes would be a child’s play.
“This is not the time for everyone to keep quiet, all hands must be on deck to ensure that we tackle the menace of drugs.”
Saleh urged parents to pay closer attention to their kids’ activities and friendships to curtail negative influence.
Speaking to the crowd, Happy Kuri, Mental Care Nurse, Kaduna State Bureau for Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment, said that drug abuse is a social challenge that must be controlled.
She said that the agency had six offices across the metropolise for quick, easy access to drug abuse victims for rehabilitation, counselling and treatment.
Kuri gave assurance that the offices would provide discretion to avoid stigma as it was located at the Primary Health Care Centers (PHC’s) across the metropolise.
She listed the PHC’s locations as Sabon Tasha, Bagado, Ungwar Sarki, Rigasa, Maraban Jos, Zaria and Kabala.
She called on the youth to shun the use of substance, set goals, boundaries and avoid bad company as they have a lot of influence.
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