In a statement released on Tuesday, November 8th, anti-narcotics agency spokesperson Femi Babafemi cautioned that the illicitly made substance has the potential to cause huge casualties among the youth demographic being targeted by the cartels.
Because of its lethality and the current drug abuse prevalence of 14.4% in Nigeria, the agency has said that every effort must be made to prevent the drug from circulating in the country. Currently, opioids are responsible for over 70% of overdose deaths and are a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the US.
We are well aware of the frantic efforts being made by some drug cartels to introduce Fentanyl to the Nigerian market. This drug is 80 times as potent as morphine and 100 times as potent as heroin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They intend to do this by targeting our youth demographic by using liquid or powder forms and/or deceptive labeling. They might also combine it with other medications. Liquid forms of illicitly produced fentanyl can take the form of nasal sprays, eye drops, or even little candies, according to the report.
Parents and other concerned adults are urged to keep an eye out for signs that their children might be experimenting with drugs. Pinpoint pupils, drowsiness, or loss of consciousness; slow, shallow breathing; choking or gurgling sounds; a limp body; and pale, bluish, or chilly skin are all symptoms of fentanyl exposure and/or overdose.
The Agency wants to reassure the public that they are keeping a close eye on the criminal gangs behind this latest threat to public health so that they can foil their scheme and face legal consequences.
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