The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, has called for stronger collaboration with patent medicine vendors as part of efforts to curb the growing menace of substance abuse.
The appeal was made by the Commander of Narcotics in Edo State, 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 the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, was themed “Patent Medicine Vendors as Frontline Defenders: Ensuring Safe Medicines, Preventing Drug Abuse.” It brought together over 2,000 participants, including vendors, NDLEA officials, and other stakeholders.
Ofoyeju described patent medicine vendors as critical gatekeepers in the fight against drug abuse, stressing that their role goes beyond dispensing medication to safeguarding public health. He warned that the misuse and diversion of prescription drugs, psychoactive substances, and codeine-based syrups contribute significantly to addiction and social breakdown.
He identified unethical practices and the pursuit of quick financial gains as key factors fueling drug abuse, urging vendors to adhere strictly to regulations governing drug distribution.
According to him, the workshop aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of drug laws, improve their ability to identify signs of abuse, promote ethical dispensing practices, and strengthen their role in prevention and referral systems.
Ofoyeju assured participants that while the agency seeks collaboration, it will not hesitate to enforce the law against offenders who violate regulations.
In her remarks, the Edo State President of NAPPMED, Mrs Omueti Victoria, welcomed the initiative and pledged the association’s commitment to working with regulatory bodies, including the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, to combat drug abuse.
The initiative aligns with the NDLEA’s broader strategy under its leadership to engage communities, strengthen supply chain monitoring, and promote awareness as part of a comprehensive approach to tackling drug-related challenges.
The workshop marks a shift toward a more community-driven approach, leveraging the reach of medicine vendors to prevent substance abuse at the grassroots level. Similar engagements are expected to be extended to Edo Central and Edo North to ensure wider impact.
