Fentanyl viewed as an imminent threat to the public health of the country.
The current health state of Nigerian youths has deteriorated so much as a result of the huge consumption of hard drugs and abuses. Statistics indicate that over 11 percent of Nigeria’s youth population indulge in the intake of hard drugs like syrup, Tramadol, cocaine, amongst others. Also, a survey from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes noted that globally, over 275 million people indulged in drug abuse, with over 36 million people suffering from drug abuse disorder (2021). The National Drug Use Survey, as of 2021 also indicated that the rise in drug abuse could also be the effects of Covid-19 pandemic.
Between 2010 and 2019, the number of hard drug users rose by 22 percent, and owing to the population growth in different demographics, Africa is projected to witness an 11 percent increase in drug users by 2030 and this mean Nigeria will grapple about 20 million drug abuse offenders by 2030, further deteriorating the country’s public health system. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have been immensely committed to curbing this menace which have ravaged the social consciousness of most youths in the country.
Fentanyl, an illicit drug 100 times stronger than Tramadol.
Recently, the Drug Enforcement Agency have launched numerous attacks on perpetrators of these hard drug traffickers across the country, with numerous traffickers apprehended. Recently, some drug cartels were noted to have devised plans for the circulation of fentanyl across the country. The NDLEA, led by Muhammad Babu Marwa informed the public of these devised plans. The agency’s Spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, described this drug as an illicit one, 100 times stronger than Tramadol.
He noted that this drug was being devised to circulate around the country by misleading labels, coming in forms of eye drops and candies. He stated that the agency was aware of these desperate efforts indulged in by many of these drug cartels to introduce fentanyl to the Nigerian market which according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is a lot more potent than morphine and a hundred percent more effective than heroin.
Hard drug now being mixed with other prescription medications.
He disclosed that this hard drug came in liquid or powder forms. He said that this fentanyl was also mixed with other prescription medications, with the liquid manufactured drugs, coming in nasal sprays, eye drops and small candies. He however admonished parents and stakeholders to be immensely careful and warn their children against experimenting with this illicit drug. Femi Babafemi noted that pinpoint pupils, loss of consciousness, low breathing limp body and pale skin were symptoms of fentanyl overdose.
The NDLEA Spokesman again attributed the rise in the usage of these drugs to over 70 percent overdose of opioid and death recorded in the United States of America as a major contributor of numerous fatal and non-fatal overdoses in the country. He assured that with the present prevalence of drug abuse in Nigeria rising to about 14.4 percent, immense steps would be taken to ensure that this hard drug does not circulate through the country.
NDLEA promises to ensure that perpetrators of this crime face the law.
Fentanyl, being a deadly synthetic substance, more potent than most of the hard drugs in circulation has been viewed as an imminent threat to the health state of the country. He also assured parents and stakeholders that the necessary precautions for monitoring the involved cartels were being implemented, in a bid to protect the public health from any form of threat. He promised that all perpetrators would be made to face the wrath of law.
Related Link
CDC: Website
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Parents and community members should use extreme caution and strongly discourage their children from experimenting with drugs.
The rate at which youths are being exposed to illicit drugs these days is overwhelming, the effects of the use of these drugs should be effectively communicated.
I fear for our youths because there consumption on drugs now is unwaivering,they are so hooked to it and many more are still going into it,they have different ones even names are so much that I just hope and pray NDLEA can just get hold of those into all these drug businesses.
The NDLEA has been doing a good job by apprehending those involved in the consumption and sale of illicit drugs. Asides that people should stay away from it because it’s harmful to human’s health
I don’t understand how a sane person repeatedly continues to take hard drugs. Kudos to the work NDLEA is doing. Nigeria really needs to purge herself out from this hard drug usage. Their cartels should be destroyed.
The rate at which hard drugs is been smuggling and use in Nigeria is very really alarming and this is very dangerous to the society,the NDLEA are really doing a wonderful job but more commitment is the needed to eradicate the manage.
These drug cartels are getting wilder. The rate of drugs being smuggled to the country is quite worrisome. And this is very bad for the safety of the society. Kudos to the NDLEA who have repeatedly conquered several perpetuators
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has devoted a great deal of effort to containing this problem, which has severely damaged the social conscience of the majority of young people in the nation. Their work deserves accolades
NDLEA are doing a wonderful work in make the society safe from hard drug but their is till way that this people are still be able to smuggle the hard drug into the country. NDLEA as to continue this hard work to eradicate hard drug from the country
Because of the widespread use of illicit drugs and other harmful behaviors, the health of young people in Nigeria has significantly deteriorated in recent years, which is a very unfortunate development.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has shown a tremendous amount of dedication toward combating this problem, which has wreaked havoc on the social consciousness of the majority of the country’s young people.
In an effort to shield the general population’s health from any potential danger, the appropriate safety measures required for monitoring the participating cartels were being put into effect.
Kudos to the work NDLEA is doing. Nigeria really needs to purge herself out from this hard drug usage. Their cartels should be destroyed.
All this smugglers no they tire no. nawa oo
NDLEA is really trying their best to the effort they are putting in order to make sure all is going well
The Drug Enforcement Administration has conducted a number of operations across the country in an effort to apprehend those responsible for the distribution of hard drugs, and they have been successful in doing so.
Most of these newly discovered drugs cartel have being in operations for years. Thank to the NDLEA who are now uncovering their hideout. It shows that they’re truly working.
When asked if I agreed with parents and other stakeholders that measures were being taken to keep an eye on the connected cartels and prevent harm to the public, I will say yes.
The rapidity with which drugs are being brought into the country is really concerning. And that’s terrible news for public safety. The NDLEA deserves praise for their consistent success in defeating a number of perpetuators.
Even while the NDLEA is doing great work to reduce the prevalence of illegal drugs in American society, some individuals will always find a way to bring them in illegally.
The NDLEA have be very impressive lately. They have been able to uncovers cartels smuggled lethal drugs.They need all support from the government to do more.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has been quite effective in their efforts to apprehend drug traffickers through their numerous operations across the country.