Only collective actions can curb drug abuse – Pharmacists

A call has been made for collective efforts in the fight against drug abuse among youths in the country.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Young Pharmacists Group (PSN-YPG), National Chairman Mr Joshua Olagunju, made the call at the maiden National Conference of the group in Awka, on Saturday.

The two-day programme was “’Disruptive Innovation: Young Pharmacists in Leadership and Policy Making.”

Olagunju said there was the need for nurses, doctors, pharmacists and other health workers to come together in tackling the serious health challenge in the interest of Nigeria’s future.

He said inter-professional relations and infrastructural deficit were the major challenges facing the health sector.

“It is unfortunate that Nigerians still travel overseas for treatment because hospital managements and government fail to provide infrastructure and equipment on ground,” he said.

He explained that the aim of the conference was to identify issues in the health sector with hope of finding ways to correct them.

The national chairman said the group was currently partnering with NAFDAC to combat drug abuse among youths, mostly in secondary schools.

“’This drug abuse campaign, which was inaugurated by the First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Aisha Buhari, in 2018, is being carried out in seven states currently,” he disclosed.

In his remarks, Gov. Willie Obiano, represented by his deputy, Mr Nkem Okeke, commended the group for its contributions to the health sector and in reshaping the mind-set of youths against drug abuse.

Obiano, who described pharmacists as “indispensable in health circle and the society” assured them of the state government’s continued support.