According to the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), over 50% of students in secondary and tertiary institutions in Kano State are drug users.

The Superintendent of Narcotics, NDLEA, Jibril Ibrahim, made this known at a one-day symposium organised by the Society for Peace Development and Education in collaboration with the Federal College of Education (FCE) Kano with the theme: “The menace of drug abuse and the way forward''.

“So far the prevalence is very high because recently, schools have been coming forward even to our offices to invite us for lectures unlike some years back, which means that the increase is getting higher. Not only in tertiary but even in secondary schools in Kano State. Based on the request sincerely, I would say the percentage is more than 50 to 60 per cent now,” Ibrahim said.

He therefore called on the academic environments to make strict laws and punishments as well subject students to at least per semester undergo a drug substance use test.

Earlier, the deputy provost of the college, Dr Dauda Sa’idu, said the aim of the symposium was to arrest the menace of drug abuse which is spreading at a fast pace, especially among students, though the college has close to zero cases of recent.

On his part, the chairman of the event, Makaman Bichi, Dr Isyaku Umar Tofa, said the rate at which the abuse of drugs is prevalent is worrisome and all stakeholders must rise to the occasion

He stressed that parents in particular must ensure they follow up on activities of their children as well as uphold their responsibilities bestowed upon them