By Esther Onyegbula

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has raised a strong alarm over the escalating drug abuse crisis in Nigeria, calling for urgent national investment in prevention strategies and stricter regulation of controlled substances.

Speaking in Abuja to mark the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, declared that the time for reactive measures was over. According to him, “Every tablet sold without prescription, every codeine syrup diverted, and every hard drug traded illegally is not just a crime, it is a threat to our collective future.”

This year’s global theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” reinforces ACPN’s ongoing efforts to curb substance abuse, especially among Nigerian youth. Igwekamma noted that for over a decade, the association has organized a National Anti-Drug Abuse Competition for secondary school students across the country, an initiative designed to educate young people and align with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)’s prevention strategy.

“The fight against drug abuse must begin with the youth. We’ve seen the damage it causes, mental health issues, broken families, crime, and the loss of countless dreams,” he said.

In a passionate appeal, Igwekamma called on key stakeholders, government agencies, civil society, religious and traditional leaders, parents, teachers, and security operatives, to collaborate on a multi-layered approach that includes prevention, education, early intervention, and rehabilitation.

The ACPN outlined several action points aimed at tightening control and improving community response:

Tougher Regulations on Controlled Drugs: The association urged regulatory agencies to strengthen oversight and enforcement over pharmacies and distributors to close leakage points that feed the black market.

Empowering Community Pharmacists: Pharmacists should be positioned as first-line responders in the early detection of drug misuse. “We are closest to the people and best placed to offer counseling, referrals, and community education,” Igwekamma said.

Expanded Public Health Campaigns: The ACPN pledged to intensify community sensitization programs to raise awareness and debunk myths around drug use, especially among at-risk youth.

The ACPN chair concluded his speech with a rallying cry: “If we do not act now, we risk losing an entire generation. Prevention is not only cheaper than cure, it is the only sustainable path forward.”

According to recent data from the UNODC, Nigeria ranks among the countries with the highest prevalence of drug abuse in Africa, with cannabis, codeine, tramadol, and methamphetamine being the most abused substances. Experts warn that rising economic hardship, youth unemployment, and unregulated drug markets are fueling the crisis.

Under its current leadership, the ACPN has consistently advocated for policies promoting ethical drug distribution, youth education, and improved public health surveillance.

As the country marks World Drug Abuse Day 2025, the message from Nigeria’s community pharmacists is clear: the future of Nigeria depends on its ability to prevent today’s drug crisis from becoming tomorrow’s national tragedy.

Meanwhile, a secondary school student, Ogbodo Kelvin, has also raised concern over the unchecked spread of drug abuse, describing it as a national emergency threatening public health, social stability, and economic development.

In a public letter to President Bola Tinubu, Kelvin wrote:

“No corner of our country is immune. Individuals across all age groups and socio-economic backgrounds are falling victim to drug addiction, from bustling urban centers in the East to remote villages in the North, South, and West.”

Kelvin pointed to Nigeria’s porous borders, weak regulatory enforcement, and corruption among law enforcement agencies as major drivers of the crisis. He cited the unchecked availability of substances like Alabukun, tramadol, and various cough expectorants as examples of how illicit drugs have become widespread in communities.

“Drugs are sold openly, and nothing is being done to curb the hazard,” he noted.

Social and psychological factors such as peer pressure, depression, low self-esteem, poor parenting, and the glamorization of drugs on social media and in entertainment further fuel the epidemic, according to the letter.

The consequences, he warned, are dire: “Drug abuse damages the brain, impairs memory, encourages suicidal thoughts and aggressive behavior, and destabilizes families and communities.”

From a broader perspective, Kelvin stressed that the nation’s security and economy are also at stake. He warned that rising drug dependency contributes to increased crime, discourages both local and foreign investment, and worsens youth unemployment and social unrest.

In response, he outlined a set of actionable recommendations: Launch a nationwide public education campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, particularly in rural areas. Establish rehabilitation centers across the country to support the recovery and reintegration of addicts.

Strengthen law enforcement and judicial response to drug trafficking and illicit drug distribution.

Enforce tighter regulation on prescription drugs, including opioid monitoring and sales control.

“The time to act is now,” Kelvin urged, calling on President Tinubu to take immediate and decisive steps to confront the crisis. “Together, we can build a future for Nigeria where drug abuse is no longer a threat.”

With over 14 million Nigerians reportedly involved in drug use, according to the last major survey by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), advocates say that silence is no longer an option.

As the nation observes World Drug Abuse Day, all eyes are now on the presidency for a response that matches the scale and urgency of the problem.