News
Drugs That Kill Can’t Be Medicine, Should Not Be Sold In Pharmacies –Rights Activist
By Daniel Dafe
Activist Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, National Coordinator, No Justice, No Peace Initiative, has said that drugs that kills should not be considered as medicine and therefore should not be sold in chemist shops.
In a statement on Wednesday, he personally signed, he added that “the rate at which substance-abusing youths increase on daily basis in today’s society, shows the level of the availability of the products to its users and the poor attitude put in by the Government, to completely tackle or put its challenges to rest.”
He continued: “It is being alleged that most of these hard drug dealers make money settlements, not only for safe passage (transportation) of illicit drugs through the roads but also make money settlement for them to sell illicit drugs without being bursted by the Police, NDLEA, Custom officials.”
Adding: “In other words, the government has directly and indirectly supported drug trafficking, by not paying serious attention to the fight against sales and usage of illicit drugs, without considering the negative effects; as it plays major role in crime increase.”
He said the cartels of drug dealings and trafficking should not be given free hands to traffic its products especially the contraband medicines sold in the pharmacies,” saying “it has damaged a whole lot of her youths, including the girl child.”
“As a youth who wants to go far in life, you must abstain from hard drugs. I mean, totally disabusing your mind from abusing drugs because, substance-abusing youths are at higher risk than nonusers for mental health problems, including depression, conduct problems, personality disorders, suicidal thoughts, attempting suicide, and suicide.
ALSO READ: Oborevwori Condoles Soludo Over Father’s Death
“Particularly, to the Nigeria Police Force, suspects arrested with any particles or any form of hard drugs; should give the Police, the lead to where the drug substance was bought, using warrants to search and arrest traffickers, and should not be quick to grant bail, giving to money or any forms of compensation as bribe. It will go a long way to sanitize the society, by reducing drug trafficking and also discourage drug abuse amongst others.”
Meanwhile, he called on the Nigerian Police Force, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Customs Service to tighten security within its jurisdiction of specificity and also declare strict intentions against illicit drug traffickers across the federation.