Kaduna State in Nigeria has introduced a comprehensive approach to addressing substance abuse and mental health issues, dubbed “The Kaduna Model.” This framework has gained international recognition for its proactive, integrated, and compassionate public health strategy. According to Dr. Joseph Ike, Director General of the Kaduna State Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (KADSAMHSA), Governor Uba Sani’s administration has established literacy and vocational skills centers to provide critical life skills for those struggling with substance abuse and mental health challenges.
One of the key components of The Kaduna Model is the reform of the justice system’s response to drug-related offenses, shifting the focus from punitive to rehabilitative measures. Kaduna State is the first jurisdiction in Sub-Saharan Africa to design and implement a comprehensive Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) program in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). This program diverts individuals who commit non-violent, minor offenses due to substance use disorders away from the criminal justice system and into mandatory treatment.
The state has also made significant strides in modernizing its mental healthcare system. The Governor has signed into law the Kaduna State Mental Health Bill, repealing the outdated Lunacy Act of 1954. This new law recognizes mental health as a fundamental human right and has established a modern, rights-based, and integrated system of mental healthcare. Additionally, the state has adopted the World Health Organization’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP), integrating mental health into general healthcare.
The Kaduna Model rests on four pillars: Expanding the Frontiers of Care, Investing in Our Future, A Paradigm Shift in Justice, and From Stigma to Support. This framework has been recognized by the UNODC, cementing Kaduna’s position as a national trailblazer in addressing substance abuse and mental health issues. The state is set to host the first-ever North West Governors Forum on Drug Abuse and Security, in partnership with the UNODC and other international partners.
Under the Community-First pillar, the Kaduna Model has established 20 community-based Drop-In Centers, providing free access to essential services and bringing care directly to the people. The state has also commissioned the first Community-Based Treatment and Recovery Center, providing intensive, residential rehabilitation to individuals in need. Furthermore, the Kaduna Children Amplified Prevention System (Kd-CHAMPS) has been developed to provide resilience-building interventions to children and adolescents, with the goal of every child under 18 having access to at least two evidence-based prevention programs.
The Kaduna Model has shown significant progress in addressing substance abuse and mental health issues, and its implementation is expected to have a lasting impact on the state’s healthcare system. As the state continues to scale up its efforts, it is likely to serve as a model for other regions in addressing these critical public health challenges.