NAFDAC To Prevent Illicit Use Of Cannabis. 

During the launch of the 2022 Annual Report of the International Narcotics Control Board, INCB. The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye said Nigeria will not support the trend of legalisation of cannabis for non-medical use as the country lacks the financial capacity to fight cultivation.

Speaking during the launch of the INCB Annual Report, Availability Supplement and Precursor Report for 2022 in Lagos, Adeyeye said the 2018 National Drug Use Survey revealed that the prevalence of any drug was 14.4 4 percent or 14.3 million people using drugs between the ages of 15 and 64 years.

She pointed out that it is comparatively high compared with the 2016 global annual prevalence of 5.6 percent among the adult population.

In her statement, “Consequently, Nigeria will not support the trend of legalisation of cannabis for nonmedical use as our country lacks the financial capacity to fight cultivation, production and illegal use of the substance.

“Narcotics and Psychotropic substances are indispensable for the relief of pain and suffering and are controlled within the framework of the three international conventions, as they possess abuse liability and produce dependence in users. They are classified not on chemical nature, but on the potential for abuse and the need for medical use of the substance.

“One of the control objectives is to ensure availability solely for medical and scientific uses, while minimizing the possibility of diversion to illicit channels and abuse. The policy thrust of NAFDAC is to ensure availability, access, and rational use while preventing illicit use and abuse. The international drug control conventions are thus interpreted to mean improved access to controlled medicines to enable countries to meet their drug needs.