Lagos marks International Anti-Drug Day with Awareness Drive, Calls for Empathy over Stigma

In commemoration of the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Lagos State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with key agencies, staged a sensitization campaign at the Alausa Secretariat on Thursday, June 26.

The event, themed “Breaking the Chains: Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery for All!”, was spearheaded by the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services and the Lagos State Interministerial Drug Abuse Control Committee (LSIDACC), in partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The sensitization campaign drew participation from a wide array of stakeholders, including senior government officials, directors from the Ministry of Health, civil society actors, youth groups, and health professionals. Activities featured a placard walk across the secretariat and the distribution of educational materials aimed at raising public awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and available paths to recovery.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services and Chairperson of LSIDACC, Pharm. (Mrs.) Olawale Poluyi, described drug addiction as a public health emergency that must be tackled with compassion and scientific solutions—not stigma or punishment.

“Today is not just about awareness—it is about a renewed commitment. Drug addiction is not necessarily a moral failure; it is a medical condition and must be treated as such,” she said.

Pharm. Poluyi cited alarming data to underscore the urgency of the issue. According to her, over 296 million people globally used drugs in 2024. In Nigeria, 14.3 million people—14.4% of the population aged 15 to 64—had used psychoactive substances, many of whom are battling substance use disorders.

She further revealed that a 2024 study conducted in Lagos State by the NDLEA and the Federal Ministry of Education found that 13.6% of secondary school students had experimented with drugs, with 6.9% identified as current users.

“These are not just numbers. They represent shattered lives, fractured families, and weakened communities,” she stated.

The Director identified emotional trauma, peer pressure, boredom, and curiosity as some of the root causes of drug use, and called on community leaders, educators, parents, and health workers to promote alternatives such as counselling, vocational training, faith-based activities, and sports.

“People turn to drugs for many reasons, but we must ensure they have better options—safe spaces where they can heal, learn, and grow,” she added.

Pharm. Poluyi also emphasized the vital role of healthcare workers—particularly pharmacists—in combating the drug crisis. She outlined responsibilities such as prescription monitoring, public education, early intervention, and ensuring safe medication disposal.

“Pharmacists are not just dispensers; they are gatekeepers in the fight against misuse. Every one of us has a role to play,” she said.

Also in attendance were the Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam; Director of LASAMBUS, Mrs. Wuraola Makinde; Director of Family Health and Nutrition, Dr. Folashade Oludara; and representatives of the Public Enlightenment Department of the Ministry of Information and Strategy.

Participants at the event lauded the Lagos State Government for its proactive stance and stressed the need for multi-sectoral collaboration to sustain the momentum in the fight against drug abuse.

In her closing remarks, Pharm. Poluyi urged stakeholders across sectors to work together to dismantle the barriers of stigma and silence, and to ensure recovery pathways are accessible to all.

“Let us break the chains of stigma, silence, and suffering. Together, we can build a future where treatment is accessible, recovery is celebrated, and no one is left behind,” she declared.

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was established by the United Nations in 1987 and is observed annually on June 26 to strengthen global action and cooperation toward a drug-free world.