As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a group of community pharmacists raised concern about what they called a “silent but dangerous epidemic” affecting young people and threatening the country’s peace.
They said drug abuse in Nigeria has grown from just a health problem to a serious threat to national security.
The experts warned that if the country does not take fast and united action to stop the problem, it could soon get out of control.
The National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharm. Ezeh Igwekamma, said in a statement that drug abuse is widespread.
He said many young people are getting hooked on illegal drugs, prescription drugs, and other strong medicines that should be controlled.
He said the government should stop ignoring the problem and act immediately.Igwekamma said, “The facts are clear.
Drug abuse is ruining lives, destroying families, weakening workers, and putting our future at risk.
This is more than a health issue—it’s now a national emergency.”Referring to the 2025 theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” Igwekamma said only reacting to drug crimes is not enough.
He urged all levels of government to focus more on preventing drug abuse through local campaigns.
He added that community pharmacists see the problem up close every day.
He gave examples, like teenage girls using pills to stay awake for exams, young boys addicted to codeine syrup, and desperate parents asking for help.
He warned that drug abuse is now becoming a normal part of life for many teenagers and young adults. This is made worse by easy access to strong drugs and weak drug laws.
He said, “Every time someone sells a drug without a prescription, or illegally sells cough syrup or narcotics, it puts our future at risk.
The pharmacists called for stronger control over how drugs are distributed, more awareness through media and schools, and a bigger role for community pharmacists in early education and support.
Igwekamma mentioned that ACPN has been working on prevention by organizing an annual anti-drug competition for secondary school students across Nigeria.
He said this program helps educate young people and supports global efforts by the United Nations to fight drug abuse through prevention.“ACPN is already investing in the next generation with education and mentoring, but we cannot do it alone,” he said.
“The government must now lead and listen to those affected.”In support of this, a student named Ogbodo Kelvin from Government Secondary School in Abuja wrote an open letter to President Tinubu.
The letter became popular because of its emotional message about drug abuse among young Nigerians.
Kelvin described the drug problem as a war that Nigeria is losing. He said drugs are spreading everywhere—from big cities to remote villages—like a fire destroying young people’s dreams.
He blamed this on poor border security, drug smuggling, lack of parental care, and the way drug use is glorified in music, movies, and social media.
He said many of his schoolmates misuse drugs like tramadol, codeine syrup, and even common painkillers like Alabukun, with harmful results.“Our schools are unsafe.
Our streets are full of addiction. Families are falling apart. Drugs are destroying our country,” Kelvin wrote.
He asked the federal government to start a strong national campaign to raise awareness, control the sale of over-the-counter drugs, tighten border checks, and provide better rehab and mental health support for young people.
He warned, “The boys we lose to drugs today are the men we’ll need tomorrow. The girls who drop out now are the mothers of a troubled future.
If we don’t act, the cost will be too high.”Kelvin’s letter has received praise from civil society, youth groups, and health professionals for being honest and powerful.
The ACPN said the letter shows that young people are not just victims but can also help lead the fight against drug abuse.“If a student can explain the problem so clearly, then our leaders have no excuse to do nothing,” Igwekamma said.
He called on the government to create local action plans led by pharmacists and health workers, use drug-tracking technology to stop illegal sales, and fix Nigeria’s drug supply system to close all the loopholes.
“The answer is not in building more prisons,” he said. “The real solution is in prevention, education, and community care. Let’s support the people who are closest to the problem—community pharmacists.”
