The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has said that the renewed partnership between the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) would curb substance abuse and protect public health.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Marwa, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NDLEA and NAFDAC in Abuja.
Marwa said the development marked a significant turning point in the NDLEA’s efforts to improve operational effectiveness, protect public health, and guarantee community safety.
He said, “NAFDAC and NDLEA play vital roles in our citizens’ health and safety. While the NDLEA focuses on combating illicit drug production, trafficking, and abuse, NAFDAC is responsible for regulating and ensuring the safety of food, drugs, and other consumables.
“Therefore, deepening our collaboration will ensure robust protection for public health and the well-being of our citizens. Our collaboration spans several decades and we are here to strengthen it further today.”
Marwa noted that the MoU will establish a framework that would enhance the sharing of vital intelligence, facilities, and expertise, thus strengthening the ability of the agency to effectively address the challenges of drug abuse and counterfeit products.
He added, “As we sign this MoU today, we are taking significant steps towards harnessing our collective strengths. It will align our strategies and resources, making us better equipped to tackle the growing menace of drug abuse and ensure that only safe, approved, and genuine products reach the hands of consumers.
“Today’s signing ceremony is not just a formal agreement but a commitment to our collective responsibility to intensify our service delivery. Together, we will work towards creating safer communities, reducing the prevalence of drug abuse, and ensuring that our people have access to safe and high-quality products.”
The NDLEA boss urged all parties to embrace the collaboration, while stressing the importance of maintaining open lines of communication, sharing of knowledge, and supporting each other in the national assignment.
In her remarks, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said that stakeholders cannot afford to work in silos on the issues that border on substance abuse, illicit drug trafficking and public health in Nigeria.
According to her, “We may not be taking illicit drugs, but we may have relatives taking illicit drugs. We may not have relatives taking illicit drugs, but we may have friends of relatives taking illicit drugs. When we look at it globally, it is our national security.
“It is not knowing what your neighbour may do to you, because illicit drugs alter the state of mind. Illicit drugs directly work on the central nervous system and make one feel what one is not supposed to feel. And that can include violence, terrorism, banditry, and those are the higher levels of societal ills that illicit drugs can result in.
“It can lead to spouse abuse, failure of children in school, health conditions, of course. As a pharmacist, whenever we deal with the pharmacology of a drug, we talk about the benefits, benefits, benefits, and then we end up with the side effects.
“And for almost all drugs, one of the side effects is death. It’s logical that NDLEA and NAFDAC should work very, very closely together. And I want to thank the chairman again for making this happen. We have been at it in terms of the timing and whatnot.
“We cannot afford to work in a silo in Nigeria. We have sister agencies that work in silos, including NAFDAC. We are just changing the culture now. Working as focus groups to deal with problems, to solve problems. Therefore, this ceremony is for all of us to think that we have to work together, and collaborate together.”