Hoodlums loot tramadol, codeine from Kaduna warehouse

The Kaduna State Bureau for Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment has warned against the consumption of drugs looted by thugs from the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Laboratory in Kaduna.

Joseph Maigari, the Director-General of the Bureau, gave the warning in a statement issued on Monday in Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that impounded fake and expired drugs and other items kept by NAFDAC at the facility were looted on Saturday.

Mr Maigari said the looters also stole some controlled substances, including codeine and tramadol.

He explained that the looted substances constituted a serious threat to public health, as the wrong usage of such substances can alter the mental state of users.

“Prolong usage can also lead to behavioural changes such as reckless, impulsive and compulsive acts and eventually mental disorder.

“Such substances can also lead to precipitation and worsening of already existing major mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety disorders amongst others.

“Severe physical health outcomes including liver damage, respiratory depression, coma, and death are not left out,” he said.