The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday has pushed for a stronger alliance with patent medicine vendors, describing them as vital partners in curbing substance abuse at the community level.
This appeal was made by the Commander of Narcotics, Mitchell Ofoyeju, during a one-day anti-drug workshop held for members of the National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED), Edo State chapter.
The training, themed “Patent Medicine Vendors as Frontline Defenders: Ensuring Safe Medicines, Preventing Drug Abuse,” took place at the Indoor Sports Hall of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. It brought together over 2,000 participants from Edo South, including NDLEA officials, facilitators, and media representatives, with the goal of strengthening collaboration between regulators and grassroots healthcare providers.
Addressing attendees, Ofoyeju described the initiative as both a knowledge-building exercise and a call to uphold ethical standards in drug dispensing. He warned that the misuse of prescription drugs, psychoactive substances, and codeine-based syrups, often facilitated by unethical practices, continues to fuel addiction, destabilise families, and undermine the future of young people.
He stressed that medicine vendors occupy a sensitive position, standing at the intersection between legitimate healthcare and drug misuse. According to him, the trust placed in them by the public goes beyond simply selling medications it carries the responsibility of protecting communities from the dangers of substance abuse.
Ofoyeju also pointed to key challenges in Edo State, including the diversion of controlled drugs and the lure of quick financial gains, which have contributed to harmful practices. He explained that the workshop was designed to help vendors better understand drug regulations, identify warning signs of abuse, and adopt safer, more ethical dispensing habits.
While emphasizing collaboration, he made it clear that the agency would not hesitate to take action against violators. At the same time, he reassured participants that the NDLEA’s goal is to equip them with the tools needed to safeguard their businesses and communities.
In her remarks, NAPPMED’s state president, Omueti Victoria, welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to working with regulatory bodies. She noted that members, as part of Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system under the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, remain dedicated to supporting efforts to combat drug abuse.
The workshop aligns with the broader strategy of NDLEA leadership under Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), which focuses on public education, tighter supply chain monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and enforcement to address the drug crisis.
The programme is a step toward building a grassroots defense network against substance abuse by leveraging the widespread presence of medicine vendors. Similar sessions are planned for Edo Central and Edo North to expand the reach of the initiative.