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Nigeria’s Battle with ‘Sweet Codeine’: A Cough Syrup Crisis Gripping the Youth
Lagos, Nigeria — What began as a remedy for coughs has spiraled into a national crisis. In Nigeria, a deadly addiction to codeine-based cough syrups — often called “sweet codeine” — is destroying lives, particularly among the youth. Once a legally available medicine, this syrup has transformed into a dangerous gateway drug, fueling a public health emergency that has shocked the nation and prompted an aggressive government crackdown.
A Sweet Poison
Codeine is an opioid, meant for short-term pain relief and cough suppression. But when consumed in large quantities — often mixed with soda or alcohol — it creates a euphoric high that is dangerously addictive. Across northern Nigeria in particular, thousands of young people have fallen into its grip. Videos of teenagers staggering, mumbling, or passed out under the influence have gone viral on social media, raising alarm across communities.
Known on the streets as “purple,” “lean,” or “sweet codeine,” the syrup is often consumed casually at parties or in quiet corners of university dormitories. For many, it’s a form of escape from unemployment, poverty, trauma, or social pressure. But that escape comes with devastating consequences — addiction, mental illness, family breakdown, and in some cases, death.
Shocking Revelations
The extent of the epidemic came to national attention in 2018 when the BBC Africa Eye documentary “Sweet Sweet Codeine” exposed the underworld of pharmaceutical abuse in Nigeria. It revealed a shocking network of corrupt pharmacists, distributors, and manufacturers complicit in illegally supplying thousands of bottles of cough syrup to drug dealers. Young people — especially women — were shown suffering silently, with entire communities caught in the cycle of addiction.
The documentary forced the Nigerian government into action. The Federal Ministry of Health immediately banned the production and importation of codeine-based cough syrups, and pharmacies were instructed to pull them from shelves. Several companies, including Emzor Pharmaceuticals and Bioraj Pharmaceuticals, were temporarily shut down or investigated.
The Crisis Continues
Despite the ban, sweet codeine continues to circulate. Black markets are thriving, with the syrup smuggled from neighboring countries or repackaged under new labels. Users say the addiction is hard to beat, and rehabilitation centers are overwhelmed and underfunded. In Kano, Kaduna, and other affected regions, families are pleading for help as their children waste away.
Dr. Ifeanyi Okonkwo, an addiction specialist in Abuja, says the problem is deeper than just the syrup: “This is a symptom of a much bigger issue — economic hardship, unemployment, and a lack of mental health awareness. Young people are self-medicating their pain.”
Government and Community Response
The Nigerian government has launched several anti-drug campaigns, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)’s school outreach and social media campaigns. However, critics argue that enforcement alone is not enough. There are growing calls for better access to education, jobs, and mental health support — as well as the need to regulate pharmaceutical companies more strictly.
In some communities, religious leaders, NGOs, and recovering addicts are stepping in to support those in recovery. Rehabilitation programs, though limited, are making a difference for some. But without a national strategy that combines health, education, and law enforcement, experts warn the crisis will continue to grow.
A Generation at Risk
Nigeria stands at a crossroads. The country’s youth, who should be shaping its future, are instead being lost to a syrup once intended to heal. Until the root causes are addressed — and real support systems are put in place — sweet codeine will continue to poison dreams, families, and futures.
Attached is a news artcle regarding sweet codeine that is affecting Nigeria crisis
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-43912282.amp
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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