DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT
Act · Health
An Act regulates the import, export, production, sale, and possession of dangerous drugs, providing for licensing of medical and scientific uses. It targets persons dealing in narcotics, pharmacists, medical practitioners, and enforcement agencies to control illicit trafficking. This aims to prevent drug abuse while allowing legitimate medical applications.
DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT
What Is This Policy?
An Act regulating the import, export, production, sale, and possession of narcotic drugs classified as dangerous, providing for licensing of medical and scientific use and criminalising unlicensed dealing.
Who Does It Target?
Persons dealing in controlled narcotic drugs Pharmacists and medical practitioners handling prescription narcotics The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Customs and border control authorities
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Prevent drug abuse and illicit trafficking by strictly controlling dangerous narcotic substances, while permitting their legitimate medical and scientific use under licence.
Key Features
Controlled Substances List: Classifies dangerous drugs including opiates, cocaine, and other narcotics subject to strict control. Licensing: Medical and scientific use of dangerous drugs requires a licence from the relevant authority. Import/Export Control: All international movements of controlled drugs require import/export certificates. Penalties: Unlicensed dealing attracts severe criminal penalties.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active — enforced by NDLEA and Customs Coverage: Nationwide drug control Beneficiaries: Public health; drug abuse prevention Funding: Federal Government
How to Access
Pharmacists and hospitals must hold valid licence to hold narcotic drugs Prescriptions for dangerous drugs must comply with regulatory requirements Report suspected drug trafficking to NDLEA Application method: Licensing applications through NDLEA at https://www.ndlea.gov.ng
Important Terms
Trafficking in dangerous drugs carries up to life imprisonment under NDLEA Act Diversion of medical narcotics to the illicit market is a serious offence Drug treatment is available at NDLEA rehabilitation centres
Official Resources
Website: https://www.ndlea.gov.ng Contact: National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
Legal Framework
Enacted under the legislative powers of the National Assembly as the Dangerous Drugs Act (Cap D1 LFN 2004). Operates alongside the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act, the NAFDAC Act for controlled medical substances, and Nigeria's obligations under the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971, and the UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances 1988.