FROM RAHILA ABDULLAHI, KADUNA
Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria,, ACPN, Kaduna State chapter has called for stricter regulations on drug accessibility and the role of pharmacy benefit managers.
The group also called for increased oversight and the enforcement of existing laws related to drug distribution and use.
In commemoration of the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the association disclosed that about 14.3 million people aged between 15 and 64 had used a psychoactive drug for non-medical use, adding that one out of every four drug users in Nigeria is a woman.
Speaking at a two-day conference in Kaduna on Tuesday, Aliyu Jibrin said one in eight persons in Nigeria had experienced the consequences of another person’s drug abuse.
Jibrin, who was the chairman of the occasion, disclosed that the non-medical use of cough syrup containing codeine and dextromethopan is estimated at 2.4 million people.
According to him, the misuse of cough syrup is almost comparable among men and women, explaining that the consequences which include physical, psychological, economic and social problems are enormous and must be tackled.
The National Chairman of ACPN, Ambrose Eze, who was represented by the National Editor-in-chief, Samira Umar, explained that community pharmacists have significant roles to play not only in the advocacy against drug abuse, but also in providing information, education and counselling on the dangers.
In her remarks, the State Chairman of ACPN, Abosede Garba emphasised the need for government to provide an enabling environment for pharmacists to operate professionally and come up with regulation policies.
Speaking on the dangers of drug abuse and illicit trafficking, she said using drugs can damage the brain, heart, liver and other parts of the body.
