The Drug-Free Arewa Movement (DFAM) has appealed to the leaders of Northern Nigeria to join forces in confronting the growing threat of drug trafficking and substance abuse taking root in the region.

In his Eid-el-Kabir message on Friday in Abuja, DFAM Lead Convener, Ibrahim Yusuf, expressed deep concern over the devastation drug abuse is inflicting on Northern Nigeria.

He described drug abuse as an epidemic that is “silently slaughtering the future of the region.”

While congratulating the Muslim faithful in the celebration of Eid, Yusuf called on leaders and stakeholders across all levels of society: politicians, traditional leaders, legislators, religious institutions, civil society, and families—treat the battle against drug abuse as a national emergency.

“This menace has paralyzed development and development opportunities, provided avenues for social vices, and mental health crises,” stated Yusuf.

“We are losing our youth—the greatest asset to addiction, unemployment, and/or hopelessness.”

Yusuf made it clear that DFAM isn’t just doing advocacy, it is collaborating with communities, schools, and religious institutions to implement evidence-based substance demand reduction strategies.

He called on the Northern States Governors’ Forum, their spouses, the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, not to run away nor be afraid to respond. He observed that

“Drug abuse does not discriminate based on ethnicity, politics, or religion… It is a monster that rides into the home, the school, the street and place of worship.”

He said that he had to honour the past North leaders like Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and he said that today’s generation learned and be influenced by the leaders’ legacies of unity, vision, and purpose.

He challenged the stakeholders to take the following steps: reintegrate out-of-school children, build rehabilitation centres, implement school based drug prevention programs, and create real economic opportunities for youths.

“Say no to drugs, it is a slow killer that steals your future and your peace. To those of you that are already addicted, you can quit! DFAM is here to help.”