Drug Abuse: Group mobilises 600 for rehabilitation empowerment

The Better Life Restoration Initiative (BERI) has selected 600 rural women in Misau and Shira local government areas of Bauchi State who are facing stigmatisation due to drug addiction and health challenges, including HIV.

The Executive Director of BERI, Nkem Ogbonna, during a stakeholders’ engagement to end the stigmatisation of affected individuals in the community on Friday, said that the initiative, with support from The Global Fund, has targeted 600 women for rehabilitation, adult numeracy education, and an empowerment programme.

“The programme is targeting people affected by Tuberculosis, Malaria, and HIV. We have sensitised the stakeholders on why we need to eschew all forms of stigmatisation—including gender barriers to health.

“Our main targets are in Misau and Shira—those women and adolescents who abuse substances. In doing this, they were tagged ‘En Vetra’ (a strong German vehicle used for commercial activities). We see these people as a key population who can still contribute meaningfully to society if they are properly guided.

“We believe that stigmatising them won’t solve the problem. Instead, how do we bring them together, empower them with reproductive health education, literacy, numeracy, life skills, and livelihood interventions, and make them self-reliant, using their time meaningfully and productively?” he said.

Ogbonna added that the best way to lift them from addiction is through empowerment. He noted that the initiative would run for three years, providing literacy, numeracy, and starter packs after training.

“We are also working on financial mainstreaming for them, where they will open bank accounts and transact using the financial system to support their businesses,” he said.

Also, the Social Welfare Officer in Misau Council, Muhammad Bappa Babayo, acknowledged the rising number of women and adolescents abusing drugs in the area. He said that drug addiction is driven by networks of suppliers, which must be tackled to save many children from vulnerability.