By Desire Emmanuel
A 15-year-old boy has died after swallowing 15 tablets of a brand of drug given to him by his friend without doctor’s prescription.
The friend has however been arrested by men of the Delta State Police Command in connection with the incident.
It was gathered that a case was reported at the Orogun Divisional Headquarters of the command that the deceased, Gift Oberhirhi, collected Dexamethasone from his friend, Destiny Akpofure, at a place in Orogun.
According to health websites, Dexamethasone is a potent corticosteroid (steroid) prescription medication used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system.
It is prescribed strictly by medical personnel for a vast range of conditions, from severe allergies and asthma to autoimmune disorders and certain types of cancer.
According to the command, after collecting the drug, and apparently due to youthful exuberance, he took 15 tablets and swallowed them. He eventually fell drowsy, collapsed and died while he was about to be taken to the hospital.
After the report was lodged, police operatives went to the scene and took him to the General Hospital, Orogun, where doctors on duty confirmed that he was dead on arrival. His body was subsequently deposited at the hospital mortuary.
The friend was thereafter arrested and the case has been transferred to the Juvenile Section of the command for more investigation.
The command said in a statement on Wednesday, April 1, that the latest incident reflects the serious public safety risks posed by the illegal distribution and misuse of drugs, hard drugs, controlled drugs and other substances, particularly among vulnerable groups.
It added that the situation further underscores the urgency of ongoing enforcement actions aimed at disrupting the activities of those engaged in the unlawful sale and distribution of drugs.
