As part of the campaign of War Against Drug Abuse, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, Rivers State command, has organized a one-day workshop to sensitize and educate members of Nigeria Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED) Rivers 2, Rivers State, with the workshop theme as ‘The Role of NAPPMED in curbing the menace of drug abuse and illicit trafficking’. The workshop which took place at Eneka Civic Center, in Obio/Akpor LGA, had over 500 members of NAPPMED in attendance.
The NDLEA Rivers State Commander, who is also commander of Narcotics Ahmed Mumuda, while making his opening speech at the workshop said the workshop was aimed at sensitising and educating members of NAPPMED who operate within the state because they are at the first to sell drugs over the counter, as well as grant counsel on drugs to members of the public, especially in the rural areas.
He said, the primary aim of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) is to mobilize, educate and inform the general public as well as children and youths on the health benefits of a drug free lifestyle.
He also noted that the concept of drug abuse and trafficking in any society can never be treated with levity, considering the enormity of the problems associated with the hydra headed scourge.
“It is unimaginable that some members of the patent and proprietary medicine dealers who should be conversant with the destructive effects of drug addiction, themselves perpetuate unrestricted circulation and distribution of known controlled drugs such as Codeine, Tramadol, Ephedrine, Rohypnool, etc, without recourse to prescriptive and control measures.
I salute your courage in this regard and passionately enjoin you to continue to identify with this current national consciousness of fighting and conquering the menace of the use of illicit substance and its abuse in the society.
Hence, all the members of your organization need to be properly enlightened and encouraged about the need to be law- abiding and desist from unethical dispensing of controlled drugs to members of the public.
The NDLEA in Rivers State will not relent in its efforts in ensuring the citizens embark on the culture of living a constructive life which will not be compromised on the altar of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
Our target is to achieve a drug-free Rivers State through aggressive pursuance of our drug control programmes”
On her part, Stella-Maris Amede, the Chief Superintendent of Narcotics and Assistant State Commander Drug Demand Reduction Unit, NDLEA Rivers State command, while delivering lecture at the workshop said, drug problem is a global plague, affecting both developed and developing nations.
It is a problem that affects virtually every aspect of a nations political, social and economic life. Basically, NDLEA is addressing the challenges through supply control measures and demand reduction activities.
Analysing the abusive use of drugs and the effect on users, she said there are addictive drugs, this consists the consistent need or craving for drugs; according to her, by WHO’s definition, drug is any substance, except food and water which when taken into the body, changes the way the body works and can change the mood and thinking process of its users.
Also are, Psychoactive drugs, Depressant drugs, Stimulant drugs, Hallucinogen drugs; illicit drugs (drugs that are legal for individuals within a certain age and individuals with relevant medical prescription and Cannabis (dried leaves from a plant called Cannabis Sativa).
She concluded her lecture, by illustrating the short term and long term effect of the continuous use of these illicit substance/drugs. However, she advised citizens to desist from self medication.
Also, Ifugu Toboulayefa Tobou, Chief Superintendent of Narcotics, the Prosecution and Legal Services, NDLEA Rivers State Command, who while presenting his lecture at the workshop on the legal implications of dealing in illegal drugs, said, that there are legal penalty to be meted on persons involved directly or indirectly in the disperse of illicit substance/ illegal drugs as well as the end users. Adding that the jail term for offenders ranges from 15-25yrs.
On his part, the NDLEA Rivers state command Public Relation Officer, Emmanuel Ogbumgbada, who spoke to newsmen at the event, said NDLEA/WADA workshop is one of the agency’s strategies to disseminating information’s to groups and the public on the dangers of drug abuse, which this NAPPMED members are involved in especially at the rural areas. They are the first point of call whenever there is any health challenge and of cause, they are the first aiders,” he said..
Also, one of the executives of NAPPMED Andy Edimo, who spoke at the event said, curbing the dispensing of illegal drugs, require the collaboration of the patent and proprietary medicine vendors and its umbrella trade union Nigeria Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED) and NDLEA.
Despite the critical role PPMVS could play in curbing illegal drug in dispensing in the society, it has received limited attention. “This collaboration should be sustained and possibly receive corporate sponsorship” he said.
The participants and members of NAPPMED Rivers 2, Mr. Gift Nwafor from Ogbogoro zone and Mrs. Beauty Otoubong from NAPPMED Iriebe in Oyibo LGA, commended NDLEA and the executives of NAPPMED for organizing the workshop. They promised to do their bit to ensure that the WADA goal by NDLEA is achieved.
Highlight of the event were the issuance of WADA magazine and certificate to the president NAPPMED Rivers 2.
