Former President, Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday, cautioned Nigerian youths not to allow hard drugs to destroy their future and potential.

Rather, Buhari said every Nigerian should be involved in the current efforts to tackle hard drug consumption in the country.

The former President gave the advice in katsina in his remarks at a one-day dialogue on how to tackle the involvement of youths in the consumption of hard drugs in Nigeria.

Buhari, who was the special guest of honour at the occasion which was put together by the Katsina Consultative Forum, promised not to relent in the campaign against drug abuse.

He said, “Our youths are valuable assets in our future. We cannot allow drug abuse to rupture their future. We should not run away from our responsibility. We need to confront this issue of drug consumption and abuse by our youths. 

“To our youths, your future and potential matter most. Believe in yourself; believe in your ability and believe in your future. Don’t allow drug abuse to ruin your potential and your future.

“To our leaders, we all have roles to play. We should invest in our youths, provide employment for them and ensure that they are positively engaged. I will not relent in doing this.”

The guest lecturer, Dr. Usman Bugaje, in his paper, said the fight against hard drug consumption must begin at the community level.

“At the moment it is the greatest threat to its survival as a country. Therefore, for Nigeria to survive and thrive, the menace of drug trafficking and consumption must be addressed squarely. It is a natural emergency.”

The Chairman of the Katsina Consultative Forum, Alhaji Aminu Danmusa, assured participants that the forum would package the various suggestions and recommendations made during the dialogue and ensure that various stakeholders, including the government, implement them.