- As Student Writes President Tinubu on Rising Crisis
By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
In commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the fight against drug abuse in Nigeria. The association also called for urgent, coordinated, and sustained action from all sectors of society.
In a statement issued by Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, MAW, DCPharm, National Chairman of the ACPN, the body emphasized the need for a shift in strategy from reaction to prevention, aligning with this year’s theme: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.”
“We must act now. Drug abuse is not only a public health threat but a direct assault on our nation’s future,” Igwekamma stated.
As frontline healthcare providers, community pharmacists across Nigeria witness the devastating impact of drug abuse daily—especially among young people. The ACPN has, for over a decade, led awareness campaigns through its National Anti-Drug Abuse Competition in secondary schools, an initiative aimed at educating students and steering them away from drug misuse.
“Every tablet sold without prescription, every diverted codeine cough syrup, and every illegally traded substance is not just a crime—it’s a tragedy that robs us of potential and progress,” Igwekamma lamented.
The ACPN outlined three key action points in its anti-drug strategy:” Strengthening the Regulatory Environment: ACPN calls for stricter enforcement on the sale and distribution of controlled substances to curb their flow into the black market.Empowering Community Pharmacists: Pharmacists should be equipped to identify early signs of drug misuse, offer counseling, provide referrals, and take active roles in school and community education.Public Health Campaigns: The ACPN will intensify grassroots sensitization efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
In a related development, Kelvin Ogbodo, a student of Government Secondary School, Garki, Abuja, penned an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, appealing for swift and decisive action on the drug abuse crisis ravaging Nigerian youth.
Ogbodo’s letter paints a grim picture of the rising prevalence of drug abuse, citing its root causes and damaging consequences—from mental health issues and crime to school dropout and family breakdown. He proposed national education campaigns, expanded rehabilitation centers, and tighter regulation of prescription drugs as key solutions.
This year’s World Drug Abuse Day serves as a stark reminder that the fight against substance abuse is far from over. The ACPN and concerned young voices like Ogbodo’s underscore the urgent need for a united front in tackling the menace—through awareness, education, regulation, and rehabilitation.