Organizes A 2-Day Capacity Building On Youth Participation In Substance Use Prevention In Gombe South: Creating Meaningful Engagement For Self-Reliance
Introduction
Recent findings revealed a disconcerting surge in drug abuse, infiltrating the fabric of youth culture. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (2018) disclosed a disquieting statistic that 1 in 7 individuals aged 15-64 had engaged in non-medical drug use, accounting for an estimated 14.3 million people. This figure is said to have even grown higher, of particular concern is the affirmation by Aliyu Adole of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Gombe State, stating that a staggering 70% of young people in the state grapple with drug abuse.
Given the above, drug abuse in Gombe South is a major cause for concern, which informed part of Hajiya Saadatu Isa Ali and Ms Helen Ngolmo to champion the cause against the menace of drug abuse, specifically the destructive impact on youth, families, and communities cannot be understated.
It is on this premises, that the 2-day capacity building was organized under the Humanitarian Diplomacy Programme of PAYDF, on the theme: Youth Participation in Substance Use Prevention in Gombe South: Creating Meaningful Engagement for Self-reliance. The event formed part of a Solution Building Session, in achieving the below objectives within the scope of Project Juriya:
A. Prevention
- Education and awareness: educated young people and the community about the risks and consequences associated with drug use.
- Community engagement: engaged communities in drug use prevention and awareness initiatives, fostering a supportive environment for those struggling with addiction.
B. Treatment and Rehabilitation
- Trauma-Informed Care.
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
- Advocated for more rehabilitation centres in Gombe South.
C. Empowerment & Mentoring
- Invest in skills development training for forty (40) participants in different fields of industries and develop resilience and coping skills.
- Offer peer support groups, encouragement, motivation and mentorship.
Targeted activities under Project Juriya
In conclusion, the event exposed participants to understand that drug abuse and addiction have so many dimensions and disrupt so many aspects of an individual’s life. Therefore, it is recommended that the establishment of more rehabilitation centres is important in the recovery of drug victims to maintain a drug-free lifestyle and achieve productive functioning in the family, at work, and in society.
The selected participants were supported with a stipend and profiled according to their local government of origin.
