Dealers in drugs and it’s related products have been charged to be more proactive in the fight against drug abuse in Nigeria.
The charge was given on Tuesday(29th October, 2024) at a seminar organized by the Association of Pharmaceutical Products Marketers of Nigeria (APPMAN), in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kwara State Command, held at the Diamond Arena, Ilorin.
In her address, the Commander Kwara NDLEA- Haj. Fatimah Popoola harped on the need for drug marketers to be vanguards against drug and its related substance abuse.
“We are here to enlightened them to sensitize them on their role in war against drug abuse, because they are very important people they are the one in-between the hospital and the patient. This pharmacies should know what to sell and what not to sell with or without prescriptions.” Says Hajia Popoola.
While speaking extensively on the topic “Drug Situation in Nigeria”, the NDLEA Boss in Kwara, revealed that over 14 million people abuse drug in Nigeria, calling for concerted efforts to reduce the figure and to completely curb the menace in our society.
“Like I mentioned earlier, 14.3 million people between the ages of 15 and 64 abuse drug in Nigeria and NDLEA has been doing a lot especially since the year 2021. We engage in activities to reduce the supply of drugs in society and also to reduce the demand for drugs in society.
Earlier, the Chairman APPMAN, Kwara State, who is also CEO Adestar Pharmacy- Pst. Olugbenga Adebayo, thanked the NDLEA for the seminar, restating the resolve of the association to continue in their efforts to see that drugs are not abused in the state.
In his words: “Now in Kwara State and spread to other 36 states, as a member of APPMAN, we don’t sell drugs to people without doctors prescription and anyone that choose to go against our association’s guidelines our taskforce team are often on patrol to nab defaulters and hand them to the NDLEA”.
The Assistant Commander, Operators & Training, Kenneth Odili; and Asst. Commander Drug Demand Reduction, Kwara NDLEA- B.T. Ajanaku in their lectures explained the roles of Pharmaceutical Products Marketers in Curbing Sales of illicit Drugs and the Effects of Drug Abuse and trafficking in our Communities with the floor opened for questions and answers.
Amongst participants present at the seminar are Comrade Kolawole Adekunle, CEO D&L Pharmacy; Mrs. Oduyoye Christy, Public Relations Officer, Kwara APPMAN and Hajia Olayiwola M. Toyin of Arinade Pharmacy, Royal Valley Estate, Ilorin, all spoke in appreciation for the organisers of the event.
“This seminar is a reminder for us to be more proactive in seeing that drugs are not abused in our society. NDLEA and APPMAN have done well for this event and we are going to put to use all lessons from the lectures”
Cross section of participants at the seminar held in Diamond Arena, Ilorin
Meanwhile, participants of the seminar were also informed about the toll free line to reach the NDLEA, which is 0800 1020 3040