World Drug Day: Drug Abuse Fueling Mental Health Disorders, Crime – Pharmacists

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has warned that the rising tide of drug abuse in the country is fueling a surge in mental health disorders, crime, school dropouts, and family breakdowns, posing a grave threat to the country’s development.

The National Chairman of ACPN, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, in a statement to commemorate the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, said the consequences of unchecked drug abuse are not only devastating to individuals but also to the fabric of society.

“Every tablet sold without a prescription, every codeine cough syrup diverted, and every hard drug traded illegally is not just a crime. it is a threat to our collective future. Drug abuse fuels mental health disorders, crime, school dropout, family breakdown, and premature deaths. It cripples dreams and sabotages national development,” he said.

Pharm. Igwekamma stressed that community pharmacists, who are often the first point of contact for healthcare in communities, witness firsthand the impact of drug misuse, particularly among the youth.
He called for urgent, coordinated efforts to address the crisis, per this year’s global theme: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.”

According to him, the ACPN has for over a decade championed awareness through its National Anti-Drug Abuse Competition among secondary schools, aimed at prevention and reshaping young minds about the dangers of drug misuse.

He said the initiative aligns with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)’s global strategy.

He urged relevant agencies to tighten controls on distributing and selling controlled substances to prevent diversion into the black market. He also called for community pharmacists to play a stronger role in detecting early signs of misuse, offering counselling, and supporting rehabilitation efforts.

He pledged that the ACPN would continue its grassroots sensitisation programmes across communities to promote prevention.

He appealed to government bodies, civil society, security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, educators, and parents to intensify education, prevention, and intervention efforts.