27th June, 2018
An Abuja based Pharmacist, Mr Sunday Olatunde, on Tuesday advised government at all levels to ban indiscriminate sales of all illicit drugs in the country.
Olatunde said this in Abuja to commemorate the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “’Listen First – Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe’’.
He said the day was an initiative to increase support for prevention of drug use that is based on science and is thus an effective investment in the well-being of children and youth, their families and their communities.
“Unless we reduce demand for illicit drugs, we can never fully tackle cultivation, production or trafficking.
“Governments have a responsibility to counteract both drug trafficking and drug abuse, but communities can also make a major contribution.
“Families, schools, civil society and religious organisations can do their part to rid their communities of drugs.
“Businesses can help provide legitimate livelihoods. The media can raise awareness about the dangers of narcotics,” he said.
Olatunde said relevant agencies like NAFDAC, NDLEA and Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria should work together to ensure that harmful drugs are not in circulation and sanctions given to those caught with illicit drugs.
He however advised those who engage in drug abuse and those tempted that the consequences are enormous, saying that continuous metabolism of drugs on the liver poses danger to the health.
Olatunde said the illicit use of drugs was the surest way to extinct a generation of youths if not curbed.