THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MUSLIM SCHOLARS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN COMBATTING DRUG ABUSE: PERSPECTIVES FROM KATSINA METROPOLIS

Abstract

The current problem of drug abuse in the world and African continent and Nigeria in particular is very alarming. This paper attempted to discuss “The Contributions of Muslim Scholars and Organization in Fighting against Drug Abuse: the Perspective from Katsina Metropolis”. The paper, discusses the concept of drug abuse, prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, the efforts of both federal and State government agencies such as National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), National Drugs Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and non-governmental organizations. The contributions of Muslim scholars and organizations, parents, media and traditional rulers in fighting drug abuse was also discussed and analyzed. The study looked into the effect of drug abuse to the humanity, which results to the loss of sanity and financial resources. The paper highlights some strategies formulated by Islam in combating crime of drug abuse. The paper contributed on enlightening people especially perpetrators the danger of taking drugs as well as anything that has to do with it. Some findings of the paper shows that abandoning the teachings of Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) were identified as the root causes of these problems as well as the socio economic problems such as poverty and unemployment. The method followed in conducting this research is qualitative which involved the use of primary, secondary sources of Islamic shari’ah and interviews. And the paper concluded some recommendations as proper enlightenment to the general public on the effect of drug abuse and the protection of witness and collaborators of justices. Prevention of drug abuse involves measures taken at national level, State level and through international cooperation, and establishing criminal offences acts such as public provocation, recruitment and training that may lead to the commission of acts of violating human sense, among others.