Ilorin
As all hands on deck to fight drug abuse to a stand still, the Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA Kwara state Commmand, Mr Amrose Umore, has stress the need to enlighten the public, particularly youths on the danger associated with drug abuse.
Umore, who made the call in Ilorin at a meeting with Association of Community Pharmacists of the state branch, expressed displeasure over the high rate of drug abuse in the state.
He, therefore, called on the association to caution its members that indulged in the sale of drugs which the Federal government had banned,such as tramadol, codeine among others.
The NLEA boss in the state also emphasised the importance of parnership with the with the association, to sanitise the system and rid the state of substance abuse.
Umore said: “We as one of the regulation agencies, we are out to ensure the right thing is done. Our coming together is to creat a synergy on how we can work together to ensure that the right thing is done.
“Last year, we started enlightement programme in higher institutions, we visited Kwara State University, University of Ilorin and reached out to secondary schools.
“Apart from that, we were on radio, most of the time,to enlighten the public on the dangers of drug abuse.
“Right now, we are planning a mega drug awareness submit early next month with all stakeholders to sensitise the general public on the issue.
“The enlightment programme is the second mandate of NDLEA, to enlighten the public on the danger of drug abuse.
” Canabise or Indian hemp is a drug banned by law, but criminally minded people go on their own either plant or harvest and sell to the public.
Earlier, the Chairman branch of the association,Association, Pharm. Adejuwon Otelaja, said the brance collaborated with the NDLEA because pharmacists were the custodians of drugs.
He said: “We all say that all drugs are poisonous depending on the degree in which they are used. However, drugs are classified dangerous because of their harmful effect to the human body.
” As a responsible association of license professionals, the branch we believes that time has come for us to work hand in hand with the government because government cannot do it alone.
” NDLA is doing its best and we believe that as a pressure group, we should do our best in different collaborative activities to let the society, first and for most, be aware and well educated about the danger of drugs abuse and take active steps in curtailing it to the bearest minimum.
“Association of community Phamacy of Nigeria is a technical group under the phermaceotical Association of Nigeria
“We are in charge of the pharmacy, whether you are a whole sales or retail pharmacist in the community we have direct interface with the community we are working hand in hand, in collaborative effort to ensure our society is rid of drug dangerous drug, “he said.
