Pharmacists Walk against Drug, Substance Abuse, Call for Stricter Regulations

The West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacy (WAPCP), in collaboration with the Clinical Pharmacists Association of Nigeria, the Association of Public Health Pharmacists of Nigeria, and the Association of Lady Pharmacists, Lagos State branch, on Thursday 20 March, 2025, staged a significant walk against drug and substance abuse in Lagos.

The walk which kicked off at Yaba area of the state through the popular Empire Street to one of the perceived drug spots, Ojuelegba under bridge, aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of drug misuse and advocating for stricter regulations. The event saw participation from top pharmacy professionals and stakeholders and led by the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm. Tanko Ayuba.

All the pharmacists during the walk united in their call for urgent action to combat drug and substance abuse across the country. The pharmacists specifically called on the government to restrict drug accessibility and enforce existing laws.

Speaking during the event, Pharm. Tanko Ayuba, stated that it is the responsibility of all pharmacists to stage fight against drug and substance abuse in the country.

“Working against drug and substance abuse must be very important to every pharmacist, not only me.  It’s our area, it’s our space. We make drugs for people to get well, but abuse means you are not using it for the purpose it was made. People are now taking the drugs not for what we make them for, but to feel high. Many of them are victims,” he said.

He commended the efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), particularly its chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), for focusing on drug barons rather than just the couriers. “Before, they used to just touch the surface by arresting couriers. But now, they are going for the barons. And they are making an impact,” Ayuba added.

Prof. Ibrahim Oreagba, secretary-general of WAPCP, said there is a need for urgency in addressing substance abuse and addiction, particularly among the youths in the country.  According to him, there is a lot of abuse of medicines, including very dangerous drugs like cocaine, adding that the increase in drug use among young people is alarming.

“Addiction starts gradually. Initially, people think they are in control, but overtime, they develop tolerance, dependence, and ultimately addiction, which leads to abnormality in the brain,” he warned.

Oreagba called on the government to enforce existing laws, reduce advertisements promoting substance abuse, and provide funding for awareness campaigns. “Say no to drug abuse. Say no to addiction. We need to educate the public, and we need the government to back this fight,” he urged.

On her part, the Chairman of the Nigeria Chapter of WAPCP, Pharm. (Dr} Margaret Obono, lamented that substance abuse is now rampant even among secondary school students. She noted that the awareness campaign stemmed from a directive given during last year’s West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacy AGM in Gambia, where all member countries were urged to take action.

“Substance abuse in Nigeria is growing by the day. More young people are being recruited into it. We need to create awareness to prevent more people from becoming addicted,” Obono stated.

She cited poverty, unemployment, peer pressure, and low self-esteem as major factors driving substance abuse. “The economy is depressing people, pushing some into drugs. The consequences are dire—overdoses, brain damage, mental disorders, and even crime,” she added.

While admitting that government agencies like the NDLEA are working, she calls for more work. “NDLEA is working, but it’s not enough. The problem is massive and requires a multi-pronged approach,” Obono stated.

Meanwhile, the Lagos Coordinator for the Clinical Pharmacists Association of Nigeria, who is also the Secretary of the Association of Public Health Pharmacists of Nigeria, Professor Arinola Jorda, broadened the discussion to include behavioral addictions. “We are concerned about the growing rates of addiction—not just to substances like alcohol and hard drugs but also to technology and gambling, including sports betting,” Jorda explained.

She noted that there is a need for the government to regulate access to addictive substances and behaviors. “The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and NAFDAC must enforce regulations. The National Assembly should enact laws to curb drug abuse and support the closure of open drug markets, which are sources of fake and abused drugs.”

She also urged Nigerians to resist peer pressure and seek professional help for addiction. “For those already addicted, there is help. Reach out to addiction specialists or trained pharmacists for support,” she encouraged.

The Vice-Chairman of the Association of Lady Pharmacists, Lagos State Branch, Pharmacist Yewande Olorunshola, on her part linked the event to the association’s annual school moral campaign and drug abuse prevention efforts.

“We want to raise awareness, especially among road transport workers and school children, about the dangers of substances like shisha, marijuana, and hard drugs. These substances destroy the liver, kidney, and brain and shorten life expectancy,” she said.

She also highlighted the euphoric effect of drugs, which deceives users into a false sense of well-being. “A poor man begins to feel rich until the drug wears off and reality sets in. That’s why people get addicted. Prevention is the best cure—stay away from drugs,” she advised.

The collective message from all the professionals was clear: Nigerians must be their brothers’ keepers, educate one another about drug dangers, and avoid substance abuse. The government must take stronger action to regulate access, enforce laws, and support organizations fighting against drug addiction.