By Ngozi Nwoke
The Lagos State Medicine Dealers’ Association (LSMDA) has pledged its partnership with the National Association on Nigerian Drug Manufacturers (NANDRUM) in the quest to reduce drug abuse and fake drugs to the barest minimum.
In a sensitisation programme in Idumota, Lagos, the president of LSMDA, Mr. Alphonsus Okoroji, promised a continuous collaboration with drug law enforcement agencies.
He said: “We are here to pledge our support and collaboration with NANDRUM and NDLEA to fight drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria. We also urge the members of LSMDA to desist from indulging in any form of illicit or unauthorised drug sales. We will not hesitate to arrest any member of the association found guilty of such action. We have vowed never to treat drug trafficking and fake drugs with kid gloves.
“As a matter of fact, we are on a clampdown mission to destroy every hideout of drug-related activities. We use this opportunity to inform members of the public that the NDLEA also keeps records on the financial flow of drug traffickers. They investigate and confiscate such proceeds. The very backbone of illegal and illicit drug trafficking is money. Without any financial muscle, most drug-related offences can’t be executed. For this reason, our most pertinent function is to freeze up as much money as possible from trafficking and illegal drug-related activities. So far, we have seized trailers of hard drugs such as cocaine and marijuana coming into Nigeria from other western countries. We shall not allow foriegn drug peddlers use our market for their illicit trade and take our system for granted.”
The executive secretary, NANDRUM, who is also ambassador, Joint Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, National Assembly (NASS), Dr. Christabel Okoye, disclosed that the National Assembly was disturbed by the prevalence of narcotics and hard drug use in the country
According to her, letters have been written, complaining about the activities of drug markets indulging in nefarious activities, saying that the association would be embarking on a series of nationwide sensitisation to combat drug abuse.
She said: “After here, we will be visiting other states to carry out the same sensitisation programme. We are working directly with the NDLEA and the ministry of justice to rid this country of hard drugs.We are not relenting in the fight against fake drugs and drug abuse with the help and support of the NDLEA and other law enforcement agencies. Following the history of events, we have done well as a corporate organisation and we have more lofty heights to attain.
“One of the top achievements of the association is gaining recognition through our integrity and reputation which made the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives to give LSMDA national leadership of National Association of Nigeria Drug Monitoring (NANDRUM) inauguration by the Senate President.
“As a reputable organisation, it is our obligation to respect and abide by rules and regulation of the government, especially as our trade is regulated by different agencies of the government. I charge all the members to live up to expectation. We do not condone, encourage or support anyone involved in stocking and sales of fake drugs.”
On her part, the Drug Demand Reduction Directorate, NDLEA, Lagos State Command, Mrs. Stella Amechi, said NDLEA was committed to public enlightenment, saying most of the over-the-counter drugs in the markets can be bought from the pharmacy meant for healing diseases, but these drugs are now being abused by users due to ignorance and no control.
“Illicit hard drugs, if cannot be exterminated, can be minimised to the barest minimum. The association was also set up to checkmate people dealing in hard drugs, while also sensitising them on the need not to indulge in the business of hard drugs. NDLEA frowns at individuals practicing without a licence. I encourage everyone to remain committed and supportive to our cause by not jeopardising our efforts and fufiling their obligations which will help the leadership of the agency to serve the state well.”
Mr. Felix Ugbojiaku, chairman, LSMDA, Lagos Island zone, said: “We are making sure that our people are doing the right thing by paying their taxes, having their licences and making sure that they sell the right drugs. To ensure that all these are done by our members, we work with the Ministry of Health, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other regulatory bodies to ensure that members comply with the rules and laws governing the association.
“The stakeholders is of importance as they help us to have an overview of our activities, appraise our outings and dealings and reward some key persons who have participated actively in the drug industry. We urge every member to join us in making sure that the intention and vision of the association is achieved.”