The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has said that Coronavirus could cause or trigger the abuse of drugs and illicit substances.
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Head of Public affairs, NDLEA, Mr Jonah Achema, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
Achema said that some people had taken to self medication of Coronavirus by treating themselves in the house without getting to see a doctor.
According to him, with the kind of concoctions we have been hearing as therapy for Coronavirus, it gives us an idea and impression of addiction already.
“This means that after the pandemic a lot of people are going to get hooked and become addicted to those drugs that affect the central systems.
“Well, Coronavirus may appear to be new development but some of the symptoms are within us and are evidentially caused by drug abuse.
“Considering that some drugs people take such as caffeine and nicotine impact negatively on the lungs, liver and the kidney.
“We know what nicotine does but what is becoming worrisome is that Coronavirus can amplify drug abuse because of the self medications by people,” he said.
Achema said that there were people who would want to take preventive measures without following any necessary medical protocol or treatment.
He also said that some people after noticing symptoms would start to take measures to avert or cure with no recourse to medical protocols.
“And by so doing they take all manner of drugs without following prescription or dosage.
“We have heard of bitter kola, we have heard of ginger, lemon and all manner of substances and you know when you combine these things there will be trouble.
“Ordinarily or independently they may not be harmful. But the combination, the volume and the quantum can cause more harm than good.
“Even ordinary fruit, we may think it is not harmful, but when you take too much it may impact negatively on your health.
“Too much of everything they say is bad, ” he said.
The NDLEA spokesperson said that the agency had joined hands with other stakeholders in creating awareness, provide security and enforcement of law in fighting the pandemic.
He noted that NDLEA functioned within a standing committee in various states in collaboration with other security agencies and stakeholders.
“Fighting Coronavirus is not within the mandate of the agency but as responsible agency, within our own staff, we spread the gospel of improve personal hygiene, hand washing and distancing oneself.
“We operate within the frame work of responsible organisation, collaboration and spreading the awareness.
“And we also try to let people know seeming symbiotic relationship between Coronavirus and drug abuse, ” he said.
Achema appealed to the public to follow the rules and guidelines from the NCDC to help fight the scourge bedeviling the country and the entire globe.
He urged the people who might have seen the symptoms to visit the testing centres to avoid the spread of the virus, adding that fighting Coronavirus was a collective effort.
He reiterated the agency’s commitment at providing more awareness and measures in the fight against drug abuse in the country.