Drug abuse: NAFDAC commences training of 20,000 young pharmacists

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, on Tuesday said that the training of 20,000 young pharmacists has commenced across the country as part of efforts to end the menace of drug abuse.

Prof Moji Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, stated this while addressing newsmen to celebrate the 2018 World International Day Against Drug Abuse in Abuja.

The United Nations had set aside June 26 annually to be marked as International Day against Drug Abuse, to create awareness against Illicit trafficking or illegal drug trade across the globe.

Explaining further, Adeyeye said that the training was to conduct a comprehensive study and research across the country concerning drug abuse.

She said, “We are working with not less than 20,000 young pharmacists to do a pilot phase of study in the six geopolitical zones.

“Those young pharmacists are carefully selected and they are not more than 35 years of age.”

The NAFDAC boss continued, “They are expected to visit secondary schools across the country, distribute questionnaires and conduct a systematic study on the scope of drug abuse.”

“Honestly, today is a sad day for me because of what drug abuse has done to our youth in the country.”

According to her, Tramadol and Codeine are the most commonly abused drugs in the country

She described Tramadol as a synthetic opioid analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain, and was the most abused medicine among addicts.

She also noted that taking the drug has no effects on the respiratory system, but an overdose can lead to arrhythmias, cramps, coma and death.

Adeyeye said that agency is ready, determined and more committed to ending drug abuse and ensuring that those dealing in illicit and substandard drugs were punished.