Abuja Pharmacists Campaign Against Drug Abuse As Marwa Committee To Submit Recommendations On Policy To President Buhari

Pharmacists in Abuja under the aegis of Association of Hospitals and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) marked the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by taking the campaign to secondary school teenagers.

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a United Nations International Day against drug abuse and the illegal drug trade. The Day is observed annually on 26 June, since 1989.

AHAPN took the campaign to Government Secondary School, Wuse 3, where over 120 senior students gathered to listen to talks and watch stage drama on the dangers of drug abuse.

Danraka Abubakar, Chairman of AHAPN Abuja Chapter, said the association decided to mark the day by promoting public awareness on the dangers of drug abuse and illicit drug trade, especially to the vulnerable population.

“We feel it is necessary for us to come to the vulnerable population to create a meaningful awareness about the dangers of drug abuse,” he said.

He disclosed that the drug awareness programme was done in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Federal Capital Territory Education Board, NAFDAC and the Presidential Advisory Committee on Drug Abuse.

Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Drug Abuse, revealed that the report of his committee was ready and would soon be submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Marwa, who was represented by Dr. Olusegun Adegbesan, described the assignment of his committee as very important, stressing that the 27-member committee went round the six geo-political zones of the country to meet different stakeholders on how to tackle the challenges of demand and supply of illicit drugs and substances.

“The committee was set up in December last year and we have gone round the country meeting all important groups, including school children and I can tell you our report would be submitted in the next one or two weeks. The report would address the issues of drug demand and the supply of it.

“You can be sure that when you give an assignment to Gen. Buba Marwa, he would do it well and fast. Within five months our report is ready and would be submitted to the President.”

AHAPN is the technical arm of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria with the mandate to promote access to medicine and proper use of medicine. The theme of the this year’s activities is : Health 4 Justice, Justice 4 Health.

Yvonne Ichide, a member of the organizing committee of AHAPN, said commemorating the Day at the GSS Wuse 3 was to help bring awareness to teenagers who constitute one of the most vulnerable population of any country.

“There were two illuminating presentations from NAFDAC and PACEDA as well as a drama titled ‘The Result of Disobedience’.”