World Drug Abuse Day: ACPN Chairman urges swift national action on drug abuse

As the world marks the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has issued a clarion call for urgent, coordinated action to stem the tide of substance abuse in Nigeria.

In a press statement delivered to commemorate the day, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, National Chairman of the ACPN, described drug abuse as a “silent crisis” threatening the nation’s youth, public health, and development.

“The global community comes together once again to observe this important day set aside by the United Nations to raise awareness of the devastating consequences of drug abuse and illicit trafficking,” Pharm. Igwekamma said.

“As community pharmacists—trusted, accessible healthcare providers on the frontlines—we witness firsthand the impact of this menace in our communities.”

This year’s theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” strongly aligns with the ACPN’s ongoing efforts to combat substance abuse, particularly through prevention-focused initiatives.

Highlighting the association’s flagship National Anti-Drug Abuse Competition for secondary schools, Pharm. Igwekamma emphasized that prevention remains the most effective strategy in tackling the scourge.

“For more than a decade, the ACPN has demonstrated commitment to awareness creation through this annual competition. The goal is to disabuse young minds and align with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) strategic plan on substance abuse,” he noted.

He condemned the rampant illegal distribution of drugs, stating, “Every tablet sold without prescription, every bottle of codeine cough syrup diverted, and every hard drug traded on the streets is not just a crime—it is a threat to our collective future.”

Drug abuse, he said, is a driver of mental illness, school dropout, domestic breakdown, crime, and premature death, thereby undermining Nigeria’s developmental aspirations.

In his statement, the ACPN National Chairman outlined three key action points to reinforce Nigeria’s response to drug abuse:

1. Strengthening the Regulatory Environment: He urged regulatory agencies to close loopholes that allow controlled substances to leak into illicit channels.

2. Empowering Community Pharmacists: Pharmacists, he stressed, should be empowered to play a frontline role in prevention, early intervention, and referral for rehabilitation.

3. Sustained Public Health Campaigns: The ACPN reaffirmed its commitment to community sensitization and school-based outreach programs.

Pharm. Igwekamma also called on all stakeholders—government bodies, civil society organizations, traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents, and educators—to rise to the occasion and prioritize prevention, education, and rehabilitation efforts.

“The time to act is now,” he declared. “Together, we can build a drug-free Nigeria.”