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NDLEA warns NAPMED, others against sales of prohibited drugs

 

By Matthew Denis

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kwara State Command, has warned members of Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPMED) and herbalists against manufacturing and sales of prohibited drugs.

The NDLEA Commander, Barr. Ona Ogilegwu made the disclosure during a seminar tagged ‘I am a stakeholder in drug abuse and control’ held in Ilorin at the weekend.

He said, “The agency will continue to clamp down on and prosecute those dealing in production, sales and abuse of hard drugs in the state.

“We are particularly against the production of drugs that contains codeine and hard substances under the guise of producing cough syrups,” he stated.

Ogilegwu described abuse of drugs as worrisome, adding that most crimes perpetrated in the country, including the activities of Boko Haram in the North-east are done under the influence of hard drugs.

He said, “The local government election in the state is forthcoming and we are embarking on multiple raids. The festive periods and election is approaching. If any one of you is arrested and brought to us, we will start with you to serve as deterrent to others.”

He urged the traditional and religious leaders to assist the agency by sensitising the populace against drugs abuse.

Also speaking, NAPMED President, Alhaji Wahab Ajibola said the association was committed to reducing drug demand among abusers.

He said, “Our concern is to ensure that we reduce the demand for these drugs, particularly those drugs under control such as Tramadol, cough syrups with codeine, Diazepam, Lexotan among others to a minimum level.

The Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Sulaiman Atolagbe Alege urged stakeholders to cooperate with the agency as the fight against drug abuse is a responsibility that must be shouldered by the society.

According to him, the state government had set aside a special budget for campaign against drug abuse in Kwara.

 

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