A member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Bimbo Oladeji has advocated strict enforcement of the ban placed on the dreaded codeine.
Hon. Oladeji representing Ogbomosho North State Constituency, made the submission in a motion she presented during the Assembly’s plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olagunju Ojo on Tuesday.
Hon. Oladeji observed that the abuse and addiction to codeine and other illicit drugs has been very prevalent, saying it has become a public concern, especially within the administration of public health sector at the Federal and State levels in the country.
Said the legislator, “it is noteworthy also that, codeine as commonly known by the populace is a constituent of many cough syrup types due to its pain relieving effect and it is now being abused by many youth,” she added.
Considering the health challenges that drug addiction poses, the lawmaker, however, urged the executive arm in the state to direct all relevant agencies in charge of drug administration to take all pertinent precautions to avoid abuse of codeine and other dangerous drugs and to similarly, direct the state Ministry of Health to strengthen the level of enlightenment campaigns on the effect of drug abuse.
“I appeal to the citizens of the state especially the youth to desist from taking drugs without prescription by health professionals,” Oladeji pleaded.
Packaged by Omotoyosi Jesuleye
