More than 14.4million Nigerians Involved in Illegal Drug Use

The Pharmarcists Council of Nigeria (PCN) on Thursday said 14.4 million Nigerians are currently engaged in illicit drug use.

The PCN gathered critical stakeholders in Kaduna to brainstorm on alarming statistics on drug use prevalence in Nigeria and the way forward, Premium Times reports

The Registrar, PCN, Elisha Mohammed, said, curiosity and peer pressure were major factors pushing people especially school children and young persons into non-medical drug use.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports the seminar was on drugs and substances abuse in North-west organised by the PCN and Codeine Control and other Related Matters Working Group.

It was to provide a platform of interaction to increase awareness on effects of illicit drugs in the zone.

According to Mr Mohammed, the World Drug Report 2019, has put drug use prevalence in Nigeria at 14.4 per cent, “representing 14.4 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 years”.

He said that the figure was comparatively higher than the global prevalence rate.

Mr Mohammed said the Council was pained by the development, as it affected the country’s productive population.

Speaking on the topic: Curbing the manace of drug abuse through information, education and communication, Oluwatoyin Odeku said illicit drugs use should be of serious concern to all Nigerians.

According to her, the use of illicit drugs have led to brain damage which is quite expensive to manage at rehabilitation centres.