Codeine the new crack: why the ban on codeine syrups will create more problems - Nnamdi Nonso

The BBC produced an undercover documentary of the sinister codeine based syrup trade and its negative effect on young people in Northern Nigeria. This prompted the Nigerian government to place a ban on codeine based syrup in the country. The move by the government, seem like a good one, But then, just simply banning codeine based syrup in the country, is like curing the symptom, but not the problem it self. In fact banning the drug makes the situation worse and this is why; The demand for the drug is very high, it is reported that just in Northern Nigeria alone 3 million bottles of codeine based syrup are consumed daily. That is a market dealers cannot let go just like that - we are in capitalist economy, making money is the primary goal - therefore despite the drug being illegal, it will definitely still be secretly produced and smuggled around, just like weed, crack, cocaine and every other illegal substances. That will also make the drug scarce, and leave addicts more desperate to get it, which will automatically hike the price and make the drug unbelievably expensive. It is important to understand that a drug addict can not just stop taking drugs because it is not readily available or expensive, a void has been created by the drug and it has to be filled, therefore an addict will do anything to get supplied, including engaging in petty and major crimes like stealing, pickpocketing, bag snatching etcetera or even use funds meant for important things to get these drugs. So at the end, we have a new problem, "desperate drug addicts on rampage".
The only solution to the problem of drug abuse in our society, is understanding the root causes of these addictions and abuses and tackling them head on. The possible causes of drug abuse includes, peer influence, excessive medication and depression/frustration caused by personal experiences or by a bad social system like the one we face in Nigeria, so we need to device means to face this epidemic from the root causes rather than curing just the symptoms.
#BanningIsNotEnough #FixTheSystem

yea man if there is no codeine, there will be no mallams to cut our grass and carry our garbage

You have said the truth , because even as they have banned it you can always get it in the market ( coded sellers) . as sharp man. I don't even know how it looked like. If only youth can channel that energy to something resourceful then Nigeria will be great again.

Codeine has since increased drastically, the one that use to be sold 2200 is now 2500, then the one that is to be 1000 is now 2000 but still regularly available.