parks in Lagos State, western Nigeria, have tested
positive for hard drugs, such as cocaine, marijuana
and others and drive under the influence of these
dangerous drugs, the Lagos State Government has
revealed.
Reports from the Lagos State Ministry of Health
revealed that of the 801 bus drivers tested for hard
drugs, 442 of them tested positive for cocaine,
marijuana, morphine, opiate, ketamine and others.
This represents 55 percent of the total number of
drivers tested and showed an increased intake of hard
drugs by drivers while conveying passengers on Lagos
routes.
The tests were carried out in Mosafejo, Mushin and
Oshodi/Obalende Motor Parks in December 2014.
According to the report made available to P.M.NEWS,
the number of drivers that tested positive for using
hard drugs while driving in 2014 is far higher than the
same number discovered when a similar test was
conducted in 2013. In 2013, out of the 434 bus drivers
tested for hard drugs, 74 of them were found to be
driving under the influence of cocaine, marijuana and
the rest.
Also, in 2012, of the 820 drivers screened for hard
drug intake, 215 of them tested positive.
Similarly, many of the bus drivers have tested positive
for alcoholic intake while behind the wheels across the
state.
The test conducted in three motor parks in December
2014 showed that of the 929 drivers screened, 202 of
them tested positive for taking alcohol while driving.
In 2013, of the 440 commercial bus drivers tested for
alcohol intake, 226 of them tested positive,
representing 51 percent, while in 2012, of the 885
drivers tested, 215 of them were under the influence of
alcohol while driving.
Of the 930 bus drivers screened for diabetes and
hypertension in 2014, at least 220 of them tested
positive. In 2013, of the 576 screened for the same
ailment, 130 of them were positive, while in 2012, at
least, 233 of the 959 screened tested positive for
diabetes and hypertension.
According to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide
Idris, the Motor Park Health and Safety Programme
was an initiative of the Health Ministry, whose main
aim was to reduce the prevalence of road traffic
accidents by ensuring the safety of the driver,
passengers and other road users.
He said the Motor Park Health and Safety Programme
was flagged off in 2012 following the high number of
deaths due to road traffic accidents, saying that to date,
1,985 commuter bus drivers and other transport
workers have been screened.
"It is a multi-sectoral effort with the Ministry of
Transportation as partner. The focus is on diagnosis
and management of hypertension, diabetes and eye
screening in addition to substance and alcohol abuse
among road transport workers.
"Three motor parks missions were carried out in the
last one year at Mosafejo Motor Park between 8 and 9
December, 2014; Mushin Motor Park between 10 and 11
December 2014 and Oshodi/Obalende bus terminus
between 15 and 18 December, 2014," he stated.
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