The Kogi State Government on Tuesday expressed concern over the growing use of tramadol and other dangerous drugs among youths in the state.

The state’s Deputy Governor, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, who spoke in Lokoja while receiving the executive members of the Nigerian Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists, said that the development portends danger for the future of the state.

He appealed to the association and other related groups to assist the government in curbing the trend by giving useful suggestions on how to tackle the problem.

According to him, the state government has committed huge investments to health infrastructure, which has led to an improvement in the health of the people of the state.

In spite of financial constraints facing the state, Awoniyi said that government would continue to give priority to the welfare of pharmacists and other categories of health workers in the service of the state.

The deputy governor promised to look into the requests of the association, urging them to make the health sector crisis-free, in the interest of the people.

Earlier, the national President of the association, Mr. Yakubu Maji Isah, urged the state government to employ more pharmacists into the state civil service.

He solicited the full implementation of the Consolidated Health Workers Salary Scale (CONHESS) for all health workers, the acceptance of young graduates from the state as interns and that Consultant Pharmacists should be allowed to enjoy the full benefits of their positions. (NAN)

•Photo shows Deputy gov Awoniyi