ACPN Calls for Urgent Action Against Drug Abuse on World Drug Abuse Day

Esther Oluku

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has reiterated its commitment to the fight against drug abuse, joining the global community to observe the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The National Chairman of ACPN, Pharm. Ezeh Igwekamma, emphasized the need for urgent, coordinated, and sustained actions to combat this public health menace.

The theme for this year’s celebration, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” resonates with ACPN’s vision of shifting focus from reaction to prevention. As community pharmacists, ACPN members witness firsthand the devastating consequences of substance abuse in their communities, especially among youth.

Igwekamma highlighted the organization’s decade-long efforts in creating awareness on drug abuse through its National Anti-Drug Abuse Competition among secondary school students nationwide. This initiative aims to prevent drug abuse and disabuse the minds of younger generations about its consequences, aligning with the UNODC’s strategic plan for substance abuse.

The ACPN National Chairman emphasized that drug abuse fuels mental health disorders, crime, school dropout, family breakdown, and premature deaths, crippling dreams and sabotaging national development. He called on all stakeholders, including government, civil society, security agencies, and educators, to intensify their roles in prevention, education, early intervention, and rehabilitation.

To contribute to a substance abuse-free Nigeria, ACPN proposes strengthening the regulatory environment, empowering community pharmacists, and conducting public health campaigns. Igwekamma urged relevant agencies to enforce stricter controls on the distribution and sale of controlled substances, closing leakage points that allow prescription drugs to enter the illicit market.

Community pharmacists, he said, must be given a central role in identifying early signs of drug misuse and providing counseling, referrals, and rehabilitation support. ACPN will continue its sensitization efforts across communities, empowering community pharmacists to protect the people.

In his response during the National Anti-Drug Abuse Competition for secondary schools in Abuja, Ogbodo Kevin, stated that the menace of drug abuse in Nigeria demands immediate attention as prevalence is widespread, affecting individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

Ogbodo proposed launching a public education campaign to educate people about the dangers of drug abuse, introducing rehabilitation projects for youths and teenagers struggling with drug abuse, and enacting laws to prevent the illegal production, distribution, and sale of drugs as workable solutions.

By working together with relevant stakeholders and the public, ACPN believes that Nigeria can overcome the scourge of drug abuse and build a healthier, more prosperous future for its citizens.