The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, has called for stronger collaboration with patent medicine vendors as part of efforts to combat substance abuse in the state.
The call was made on Wednesday by the Commander of Narcotics, Mitchell Ofoyeju, during a one-day anti-drug abuse workshop organised for members of the National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED), Edo State Chapter.
The workshop, held at the Indoor Sports Hall of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, was themed “Patent Medicine Vendors as Frontline Defenders: Ensuring Safe Medicines, Preventing Drug Abuse.” It aimed to bridge the gap between regulation and community-level healthcare delivery.
Addressing over 2,000 NAPPMED members from Edo South, alongside NDLEA officers and other stakeholders, Ofoyeju described the programme as both a capacity-building initiative and a call for stricter compliance with drug distribution regulations.
“We must unite to address substance abuse and the illicit drug trade. When prescription drugs and codeine-based syrups are misused through unethical practices, the consequences can be devastating—fueling addiction, разрушing families, and undermining the future of our youth,” he said.
He stressed that patent medicine vendors occupy a critical position as gatekeepers in the healthcare system, noting that the trust reposed in them by the public comes with significant responsibility.
Ofoyeju highlighted key challenges in Edo State, including the diversion of prescription drugs, abuse of psychoactive substances, and the influence of get-rich-quick tendencies, all of which contribute to rising drug abuse.
He outlined the objectives of the workshop to include enhancing participants’ understanding of drug laws, improving their ability to detect signs of abuse, reinforcing ethical dispensing practices, and positioning them as frontline agents in prevention and referral.
“We are not here to vilify but to collaborate. However, the NDLEA will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any erring member who violates drug regulations,” he warned.
In her remarks, the Edo State President of NAPPMED, Mrs Omueti Victoria, commended the initiative and pledged the association’s continued support in the fight against drug abuse.
“As healthcare providers regulated by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, we will continue to partner with relevant agencies to safeguard public health,” she said.
The workshop aligns with the mandate of the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Mohamed Buba Marwa, aimed at strengthening public awareness, monitoring drug supply chains, and enforcing regulations to curb drug-related offences.
It also seeks to deepen collaboration between NAPPMED and NDLEA in intelligence gathering and community-based prevention, reinforcing grassroots efforts against substance abuse.
Organisers noted that similar workshops would be held in Edo Central and Edo North to ensure wider coverage across the state.
Margaret ABAH
