Woman who quit drug use makes startling revelation

The story of Zainab, a young lady amongst 40 other women undergoing reform at Mallam Lawal YusufMuduru’s institute also known as ‘Nigga Rehabilitation and Skill Acquisition Centre’ Rigasa Kaduna is shocking.

She dropped out at 300 level from the Kaduna Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) as a result of drugs that she was introduced to her by friends.

Unlike other drugs addicts, as a woman, Zainab case was different. Zainab remorsefully confessed that she used to inject herself with the drugs to get high.

“Nothing comes out of being a drug addict,” Zainab said, “l was in 300 level at the National Open University Kaduna Centre. As I was schooling, my friends influenced me into drugs” she added.

“Honestly, one has to be very careful with the kinds of friends he or she mingle with because some even go mental as a result of drugs while others become useless in life. For those of us who are lucky to have been brought here, we should thank God and may Allah bless Mallam Niga for establishing this center. I am very happy because I am now undergoing reform” Zainab disclosed.

“It is sad that many of our parents don’t know what we do nor the kind of friends we associate with. Many don’t care about taking care of their children. It is very important for parents to pick interest in what their children are doing so that they can understand them. That was exactly what affected me” the former addict narrated.

Speaking about her background, Zainab said, “My parents didn’t know I was taking drugs. When l was in 100 level, my friend invited me to her house and lured me into it. At first, I refused but she said it was a normal thing to do. She said it was good to take. She said it reduces school stress and stress from parents and that was how it all started.”

“After that, I was not just taking the drugs, but I was injecting myself with the drugs whenever I feel like getting high.”

“I can’t really remember how I used to feel if I inject myself. I am now back to my senses. I don’t want to think about it anymore because I want to move on with my life. I want to be a journalist. It has always been my dream. I want my parents to be proud of me” she said.

Zainab who was studying English before she dropped out, said “Like in my own case, my parents did not have time with me. They always pamper me. I was over pampered. Anything l want, they give it to me. They don’t even ask me what l was going to do with the money. Even if am going to school, nobody ask me what I was going to do with such an amount of money I will take to School. Nobody cares. So you see, parents contribute.”

“You know it is heart breaking to see a lot of young girls going through this terrible experience. One has to find a way to help them. I am really glad that there is now a lot of advocacy by women against drug abuse.”

“This last International Women Day’s celebration for instance, we had a team of women journalists from Nigerian Union of Journalists Kaduna led by their Secretary, Zone ‘A’ Hajiya Daharatu who spoke at length on the dangers of drugs especially as it relates to women. I thank God for delivering me from this calamity” Zainab added.

She described the owner of the private rehabilitation centre, Malam Nigga as wonderful. “He takes everyone as his own child. No discrimination whatsoever. Be you a Muslim or a Christian. He teaches us how to become useful in life and as disciplined women. Here in this institute we learn different trades such as welding, carpentry, soap making, sewing and so on. I am glad today because apart from being reformed, l can make soap; l can knit and also sew.”