BREAKING: ACPN Raised Alarm Over The Growing Prevalence Of Substance Abuse In Nigeria

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has raised alarm over the growing prevalence of substance abuse in the country, citing data which it said indicated that more than 21.2 million Nigerians abuse various substances.

The ACPN National Chairman, Pharm. Ambrose Igwekamma Ezeh, disclosed this while highlighting the major challenges confronting Nigeria’s healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.

Ezeh, who referenced data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), identified unemployment, poverty, dysfunctional family structures, peer pressure and inadequate public awareness as some of the factors driving substance abuse in Nigeria.

He also blamed weak enforcement of drug laws, porous borders, corruption, poor prescription control and the growing influence of social media for contributing to the country’s drug abuse crisis.