One of Khirana’s strengths has been the dynamic ability to partner/collaborate with similarly driven civil society organizations (CSOs). Since 2021, the initiative to partner with Social Justice and Human Development for Peace Initiative (JDPC) Jos has yielded significant amount of impact. The decision to partner with JDPC is intentional and strategic because of its pivotal position in the peace building agency and its role in promoting healing and human rights. Our expertise and services run parallel and complimentary with very key objectives of JDPC, especially the efforts towards stimulating a qualitative community-based education for human development.

In March, 2022, we (Khirana and JDPC) facilitated two, three (3) day activity in Dutse-Ukwu and Bukuru communities in, Jos North and Jos-South Local Government Areas, Plateau State (respectively); to raise awareness and increase knowledge on drug use, misuse and drug dependency, and to develop community action plan amongst traditional leaders, religious leaders, People Living with Disabilities (PWDs), specialized women and youth groups.

This is part of a comprehensive approach towards peace building, a project aimed at promoting Interfaith Response to Religious Extremism (PIRREX). The activity series focused on strengthening the capacity of community members on drug-related issues in the community, and increasing general awareness on the subject of drug use and associated harm, while reducing stigma and initiating the pathway to an improved service uptake. The community members engaged actively with the activity and immediately began identifying risk factors unique to their communities and went further to profer possible response strategies within the capacity of the community resources.

The community members showed great enthusiasm towards the expansion and sustainability of the program, demonstrated in the initiative to set up safe spaces within the community and organizing step-down programs. They plan to encourage a stronger participation of families, religious and traditional leaders, and other stakeholders, in the attempt to breach information deficit on substance misuse within the community. JDPC also considered prioritizing the component of substance misuse in subsequent peace-building projects