The founder of a Kaduna based rehabilitation centre, Malam Lawal Maduru, on Wednesday urged Nigerians to stop discriminating and stigmatizing people who were treated, cured and rehabilitated of mental problems.
Maduru made the appeal in an interview with journalists in Kaduna while commenting on the World Mental Health Day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the day was set aside by the United Nation to raise more awareness on dangers of drug abuse and its negative affects on society.
He said stigmatization and discrimination of rehabilitated mentally challenged persons would only lead such victims back to their old bad habits of abusing drugs.
“Victims of mental diseases need love and care and not stigmatization.
“It is the responsibility of members of the society, governments and organisations to support in ensuring better life for rehabilitated mental health victims.”
According to him, his centre has reformed over 1000 mentally challenged persons and drug addicts since its establishment.
Muduri added that some of those treated by the centre have been engaged in sharing their experiences in sensitising the youths including those in school on the dangers of drug abuse.
“Government should evacuate all mentally challenged persons on the street and take them to psychiatric hospitals for proper treatment.
“It should create enabling environment for job creation so that the youths can be gainfully employed thereby reducing the temptation of their going into drugs.”
Meanwhile, Pastor Yohanna Buru, President of Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation, said Nigerians across all communities should join hands in making life better for reformed addicts.
He urged health ministries to work with private practitioners including genuine traditional healers in providing medical and social support to mentally challenged persons nationwide.(NAN)
