You don't ban a drug with a lot of therapeutic benefits because you failed in your responsibility of REGULATING it. Codeine is a very useful drug which when used properly provides relieve from many medical ailments such as chesty cough, pains and the rest. Due to its opioid effects, some people abuse it in an attempt to get "high" due to its euphoric effects. But should we ban it because it is being abused?? No!!! There are other drugs with opioid effects like tramadol, loperamide e.t.c, should we ban them as well
It is just like acid which, aside their several uses, some people can wrongly use to perpetrate crime. Gun is also another example! Do we stop the legal use of guns because criminals use it No!!!

Codeine and other ethical drugs are used in other countries including our neighboring countries like Ghana. How do they prevent those drugs from getting into the wrong hands The answer is REGULATION. They don't allow just anybody to open shops and start selling/distributing drugs. They train pharmacists who dispense those drugs on the prescription of a physician.

Regulation is the solution to the problem of drug abuse not outright ban! Implement the new drug distribution guidelines. Let every state establish their drug distribution centers to be manned by qualified pharmacists. Private individuals and groups could also have such Drug distribution centers, more like "Drug banks" but such centers must be manned by qualified pharmacists who would be held responsible in the event of malpractice.
A non-pharmacist has just money to lose in the event of closure of his shop, but a pharmacist has his money, his license and his professional reputation to lose if found wanting. So, he would be more careful in the discharge of his duties.

In summary, let us stop beating about the bush and regulate our drug market. Let's ensure that the January 2019 deadline for implementation of the new drug distribution guideline is realized. And when implemented, let us not politicise the guidelines in any form. That's the best way to check drug abuse not by banning the drugs. Let us reason for once!!

Nice write up .

Banning is obviously not the best response , infact i dont think anyone can effectively ban opiate medication like that . It tends to create parallel or black markets

Regulation as you said is the key, in addition to this in my in my opinion legislation against illegal procurement , sale distribution and even personal use without medical prescription.

The government however has a reason to be concerned about the endemic use of opiate analgesics in the society . These opiate are causing massive deaths in the US (with all their wealth and strength) . Allowing opiate misuse to go unchecked will lead to multiple disasters in the country .

Unfortunately most of the victims are young and has no understanding of what opiates misuse/dependence is .

Tramadol, Codeine , dihydro codeine , cocodamol , ibuprofen plus , fentanyl, pentazocine , etc are all opiates which are in fact like heroin . They are very highly addictive and potentially lethal especially when combined with other drugs eg benzodiazepines and alcohol .

Apart from regulation and restriction of access to these drugs , there is a need to ,

1) embark on health education of the populace about the effects of these drugs

2)education of health care professional against non specialist use of opiate medications -as much as it is possible opiate drugs should be prescribed and dispensed by clinical specialists(doctors , nurses , pharmacists) with knowledge and experience of the drugs and the management of its side effects .

3)need to treat and rehabilitate people who are already addicted to these drugs -this a very important part of combating the scourge of opiate addiction. Patients who successfully recover can be enlisted in encouraging others to come into treatment and supporting them through it .

4)charitable organisations should be allowed and encouraged to join efforts with the government to tackle this disease

5)recognize that this is a disease , Opiate dependence or addiction to opiate drugs is characterized by

a) regular use of the drug with inability to function on daily basis without taking it

b) forfeiture of all other relevant ares of life in pursuit of the particular drug -patient will steal , lie , prostitute , fight and take other personal risks to get the drugs . the individual will leave their family , children , spouse , work un -attended to in other to get the drugs .

c)in the absence of the drugs in the body , the individual becomes withdrawn , complaints of general pains , becomes anxious , becomes tearful, goes to the toilet more often (diarrhea) . they might even injure themselves -self harm to alleviate the physical and mental suffering they are going through .

There is opiate dependence problems in most developed countries , but its definitely not something to be desired in any country albeit a poor one like our country where malaria is still killing loads .

The social media is a good platform to spread the word about non recreational use of these drugs as well .

All the drugs mentioned above should be banned. We have alternative pain killers like Paracetamol. Nigerian Youths get high on these drugs and perpetrate all sorts of atrocities including murder and other forms of barbarism which ordinarily they wouldn't have done.

FGN will soon ban automobiles to curb the rising incidence of road crashes

Nice post OP