By Omolara Akintoye
As the World Malaria Day is commemorated globally, Lagos State Medicine Dealers Association (LSMDA) has set up a drug Monitoring body to tackle drug abuse trafficking and fake drugs in Lagos State.
Okoroji
Speaking at a program organised in Surulere, Lagos to mark the day, President, LSMDA, Lagos, Alphonsus Okoroji stated that the body known as National Association of Nigeria Drug Monitoring (NANDRUM), is being set up to checkmate these vices. “With the theme for this year-“Zero Malaria-Draw The Line Against Malaria”, the initiative is to ensure that the fight against malaria must be won”, he said.
His words “Malaria is a very dangerous disease that has taken lives of many, although, it is preventable and curable. WHO records as at 2020 shows that malaria infects about 299 million people each year and kills about 409,000 per annum. Although, there has been tremendous improvement since year 2020 when WHO initiated 25th of April every year as World Malaria Day. We are striving to ensure we reach zero tolerance malaria target” said Okoroji.
Responding, the Executive Secretary, NANDRUM and Ambassador Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Reps. on drugs and narcotics, Dr. Christabel Regan Okoye, who also seized the occasion designed to tackle drug abuse, trafficking, fake and unwholesome products among drug dealers in Lagos state stated that drug outlets play vital roles in the distribution of drugs to patent medicine dealers and other drug dealers and users in Nigeria.
“Drug abuse, trafficking, and crime are interrelated and has impacted so much negatively in the country through crime and insecurity
We inaugurated NANDRUM today to curtail at least 70% of youths being affected with drugs. The Federal Government through their agencies is working with us to ensure that this is achieved.
A representative of National,Drug, Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs. Titilope Ogunloye, said the agency is working tirelessly in curbing the menace.”We go to the populace and partner with them, I urge NANDRUM to be up to the task, the work is enormous. What you do not have, you can not give, they must be good Ambassadors”.
NANDRUM is a new association that will help the Federal Govt, while LSMDA will help in apprehending these sellers of codeine and hard drugs.
