As the world marks the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, has called for urgent and sustained investment in drug abuse prevention strategies across Nigeria.
Speaking through a press statement in commemoration of the global event, Pharm. Igwekamma emphasized the importance of shifting focus from reactive responses to preventive approaches in addressing the growing menace of substance abuse, particularly among young Nigerians.
This year’s theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention,” he noted, aligns closely with the ACPN’s long-standing commitment to proactive community engagement. “As frontline healthcare providers, community pharmacists witness daily the devastating impact of drug abuse on individuals, families, and society,” he said.
For over a decade, the ACPN has championed awareness initiatives such as the National Anti-Drug Abuse Competition among secondary school students. According to Igwekamma, the initiative is aimed at educating and reshaping the minds of young people against drug abuse while promoting healthy lifestyle choices in line with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)’s strategic goals.
“Every tablet sold without prescription, every codeine syrup diverted, and every hard drug traded illegally is not just a crime—it is a direct threat to our national future,” he warned, linking drug abuse to rising cases of mental health issues, crime, school dropouts, and premature deaths.
The ACPN, under his leadership, is calling on key stakeholders—government, civil society, security agencies, traditional and religious institutions, parents, and educators—to play active roles in prevention, education, early intervention, and rehabilitation.
Pharm. Igwekamma also outlined three key action areas the association is advocating for:
Strengthening the Regulatory Environment: ACPN is urging regulatory bodies to tighten controls over the distribution and sale of controlled substances and seal the loopholes that enable diversion into the black market.
Empowering Community Pharmacists: The association seeks greater involvement of pharmacists in early detection, counseling, referrals, and drug education, especially in schools
