Nigerian government is taking steps to address the increasing scourge of Codeine and Tramadol abuse in Nigeria.
According to the minister of health Prof Isaac Adewole, it is not just human beings that are ingesting the substances, it is also spreading to animals thus posing significant risks to food consumption.
“Tramador and Codeine are now widely abused in the country, in fact I have just been told that they now give them to Cattle, so we are indirectly affected through the meat we consume,” said Adewole.
He described the development as acceptable.
To address this development, the health minister has inaugurated the Codeine Control and Other Related Matters Working Group, CCRWG.
Speaking at the inauguration, the minister said Nigeria must take the issue of drug abuse seriously particularly among the youth.
“We must stamp out drug abuse among Nigerians particularly the young ones,” he said.
He also directed the committee to submit an interim report on codeine and tramadol abuse in Nigeria within six weeks.