As Nigeria joins the global community to mark the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, calls for comprehensive national strategies to combat rising substance abuse have intensified.
Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), has called on the Federal government, civil society organizations, and local communities to strengthen prevention-focused efforts to address the country’s growing drug abuse crisis.
His appeal was echoed by Ogbodo Kelvin, a secondary school student in Abuja, who stressed the urgent need to protect Nigerian youth from the increasing prevalence of illicit drug use.
In a statement on Thursday commemorating the annual United Nations-backed event, Igwekamma emphasized the importance of proactive measures, aligning his message with this year’s theme: ‘The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention’.
He pointed out that prevention, rather than treatment alone, is key to tackling substance abuse effectively, saying, “Drug misuse contributes to a wide range of social problems, including mental health issues, increased crime rates, school dropout, and premature death.
“It erodes the future of young Nigerians and undermines national development.”
He highlighted the critical role of community pharmacists, often the first point of contact in the healthcare system, in recognizing early signs of drug misuse.
He warned that unauthorized sales of medications, especially prescription drugs such as codeine-based syrups pose a serious risk to public health.
The ACPN, he noted, has taken steps to engage young people through initiatives like its national anti-drug abuse essay competition, targeting secondary school students to raise awareness and deter substance misuse.
To strengthen control efforts, Igwekamma urged government agencies to tighten regulation on the supply and sale of controlled drugs.
“There must be stricter oversight to prevent prescription medications from entering illegal markets,” he said.
He also advocated for greater involvement of pharmacists in school and community education programs, counselling, and referral services.
Meanwhile, in a passionate open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Ogbodo Kelvin, a student of Government Secondary School, Garki, described drug abuse as a national emergency affecting all parts of Nigeria.
“No part of the country is untouched by this crisis,” he wrote, pointing to weak border control, ineffective enforcement, and the normalization of drug use in pop culture as major drivers. He expressed concern over the abuse of easily accessible substances like cough syrups, painkillers, and stimulants.
Ogbodo warned of the long-term impact of addiction, noting its links to memory loss, mental health disorders, suicidal tendencies, and declining productivity.
“Drug abuse damages the brain, leads to behavioural changes, and causes emotional instability. It also discourages investors and hampers national growth,” he said.
Offering solutions, he proposed a nationwide public awareness campaign to educate Nigerians on the dangers of drug abuse, the creation of more rehabilitation centres for young people, and the enactment of stricter laws to curb illegal drug production and trafficking.
Ogbodo also emphasized the importance of regulating prescription drug access.
“Monitoring prescriptions and limiting opioid availability would help reduce abuse,” he suggested.
Pleading to the President, he said, “The time to act is now. Let’s build a country where drug abuse no longer threatens our future.”
Observed annually on June 26, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking aims to raise awareness of the harmful effects of drug abuse and mobilize global support for prevention efforts.
