Like moths to the flame, they flock in droves to satiate their uncontrollable self-destructive habit of codeine cough syrup consumption. Attracted by the overpowering lure of the sweet tasting elixir, hordes of Nigerians—school children, young adults, fully grown men and women and other habitual consumers—go all out to live out this death wish.

They are subsisting on an unsavory diet of codeine cough syrup. Commonly mixed with soft drinks and alcohol and consumed, codeine, alhough less potent than its drug relative —morphine—is a prescription pain medication that has similar powerfully addictive properties. Once you are hooked on codeine you are hooked. And God help you if you are hooked.
Codeine containing syrups are controlled by regulation and should not be freely sold, yet they get into the hands of people through leakages in the system.
Codeine overdose can cause schizophrenia (mental instability) and organ failure. Other known adverse effects of codeine abuse include: respiratory depression; hallucination and physical dependence as a result of continued use.

In swift response to the report, the Federal Government ordered the NAFDAC to ban the production of codeine cough syrups in the country. However, observers have warned that the ban would only offer temporary reprieve. Addicts have penchant to look for alternatives even as smugglers would potentially have a field day no thanks to the nation’s porous borders.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, also swung into immediate action, raiding the indicted pharmaceutical companies. It is part of NAFDAC’s regulatory functions to control the circulation and importation of codeine-containing drugs.