Chido Nwakanma, Magodo, Ikeja, Lagos State: The knee-jerk response of the Federal Government to the codeine abuse by some Nigerian youths especially in the North is certainly not enough. It is wrong on several counts.
Codeine is used in several other areas and medications other than cough medicine. What happens to them? What about drugs containing other opiates such as morphine, the pain killer? How about planning? This problem has been in place for decades. How about giving a notice of at least one quarter to companies that set up plants to manufacture such drugs so they can shut down properly.
I have used Benylin with codeine for four decades. The manufacturer, Nigerian German Chemicals, has been here for more than 50 years. They should shut that line overnight? The companies did not commit a crime. We should stop tackling symptoms.
There is a youth drug abuse challenge. All stakeholders should focus on tackling this problem from the roots. Why is so endemic in Kano State? Where are the other epicentres? How have other nations tackled drug abuse? Knee-jerk is a no brainer.
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