Dr Abdulgafar Jimoh, a former Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Sokoto State chapter, has called for increment of taxes on cigarettes, Kola nut and other substances.
Jimoh spoke on Sunday in Sokoto at a workshop on drugs and substance abuse in the community.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised by the Sahel Healthcare Network, in collaboration with the Sokoto State Ministry of Health, as part of the efforts to combat the menace of drugs abuse.
Jimoh, also the Executive Director of the Network said, ”Such increment will discourage the purchase and sale of the dastardly substances.
” Other strategies that can help in reducing the menace include sports, family and neighbours’ engagements.”
Jimoh, who also works in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, decried the problems of drugs abuse and substance which had defied all known boundaries.
”This is with increasing incidence in our communities world over, and it cuts across socioeconomic status, political or religious affiliation or origin.
”This programme is organised to curb the menace of drugs abuse in the state and reduce the burden on our communities.
Also, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Balarabe Kakale, said that the state government was fully committed to combating the menace of drugs abuse across the state.
Kakale said, “the state government accords top priority to the provision of quality healthcare to the people of the state in tune with global standards.
” The Ministry of Health will sustain the ongoing efforts to tame the menace and make our youths more productive.
”Traditional and religious leaders, organisations and other critical stakeholders should continue to complement the efforts of the state government in this direction.”