Health
WHO backs Nigeria’s push to curb drug misuse, expand medicine access
Rotimi Agbana
Nigeria has intensified efforts to tackle the growing challenge of drug misuse while ensuring that patients who require controlled medicines for pain relief, mental health treatment and palliative care continue to get safe and timely access to them, the World Health Organisation has said.
WHO disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday following the National Drug Use Summit, which brought together government officials, security agencies, development partners, civil society organisations and health experts to strengthen the country’s response to substance abuse.
Drug abuse has remained a major public health concern in Nigeria, particularly among young people, with authorities repeatedly warning about the widespread misuse of opioids such as tramadol, codeine-based cough syrups and other prescription medicines.
Beyond the health consequences, the problem has also been linked to rising cases of insecurity, mental health disorders, violence and other social challenges across the country.
According to the WHO, the summit demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to addressing the challenge through coordinated action while maintaining access to medicines needed for legitimate medical purposes.
WHO explained that the National Drug Use Summit was convened by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the United Nations in Nigeria, with support from development partners, including the Global Fund, to advance the implementation of Nigeria’s National Drug Control Master Plan.
“Nigeria is taking bold national action to protect young people and communities from drug misuse while ensuring safe access to the essential medicines needed for pain relief, mental health care, and palliative care.
“The National Drug Use Summit, convened by the FMoHSW, NDLEA, and UN Nigeria with support from partners including The Global Fund, brought together government leaders, security agencies, civil society, and health experts to advance the National Drug Control Master Plan,” the statement partly read.
The global health agency also noted that substance misuse continues to pose a significant threat to public health, particularly among young Nigerians.
It added that it supported the summit by providing technical guidance aimed at ensuring that drug control policies do not undermine access to essential medicines for patients who genuinely need them.
“Drug misuse remains a major public health challenge affecting millions of Nigerians. The 2019 UNODC/NDLEA survey found that 14.4% of people aged 15 to 64 used drugs in the past year, with rising misuse of tramadol, codeine syrup, and prescription sedatives continuing to impact young people and communities.
“WHO Nigeria supported the Summit with evidence-based guidance on balancing drug control with safe access to controlled medicines. This work strengthens regulatory systems, protects medical access, and reduces the risk of diversion and misuse,” WHO stated.
According to the statement, one of the key outcomes of the summit was the adoption of a communiqué by participating organisations to reinforce the implementation of the National Drug Control Master Plan.
“A key outcome of the Summit was a Communique endorsed by partners to strengthen the pillars of the National Drug Control Master Plan,” the WHO added.
Nigeria has, in recent years, intensified efforts to curb the abuse of illicit drugs and controlled substances through stronger law enforcement, public awareness campaigns and expanded access to treatment and rehabilitation services.
The National Drug Control Master Plan serves as the country’s strategic framework for reducing drug demand and supply while promoting prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and international cooperation.
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
