The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned commercial
vehicles and motorcycle operators to stop taking anti-cough drugs containing codeine because they damage the liver and eyes.
NAFDAC Director-General, Dr. Paul Orhii, said the agency had in January 2008 received a note from the International Narcotics Control Board on the rising abuses of cough remedies containing codeine in Africa.
Orhii, who spoke at the sensitisation of operators at the Jabi Motor Park, Abuja, said NAFDAC has been educating road transport employees and workers against the abuse of the drugs to discourage such risk behaviours.
He said: "The agency has noted with concern this rising trend of the abuse of drugs and especially codeine containing preparations in the country."
According to him, NAFDAC has conducted a rapid situation assessment in Minna, Niger State; the Neuropsychiatric Hospitals in Abeokuta, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Enugu, Kaduna, Benin and Calabar to collect and analyse data on drugs commonly abused in the areas.
He listed high incidences of abuse of other drugs substances to include prescription drugs such as diazepam, tramadol, ketamine, sniffing of solutions in cold patch used by vulcanisers and inhalation of fuel and nail polish.
Others are sniffing of sand scooped from filthy gutters and in latrines and mixing of monosodium glumate (white magi) with Cola drinks.
Culled- The Nation
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