Drug Abuse: Critical look at the intricacies, causes and effects of drug abuse among Nigerian youths

By Muhammad Abdulbasit (WASAD General Assembly – 9News Nigeria)

INTRODUCTION

Drug abuse involves the use of psychoactive drugs in an amounts or by methods which are harmful to an individual or others. It is a form of substance-related disorder also called substance abuse.

Different definitions of drug abuse are used in public health, medical and criminal justice contexts. In some cases criminal or anti-social behaviour occurs when the person is under the influence of a drug, and long term personality changes in individuals may occur as well. In addition to possible physical, social, and psychological harm, use of some drugs may also lead to criminal penalties, although these vary widely depending on the local jurisdiction.

Drug abuse became public health challenge where by so many people take drugs out of medical orders including non psychoactive drugs which eventually affect the life hence, the drugs are toxic to the body systems especially when not properly administered.

According to the report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Centre for Research and Information on Substance Abuse and Centre for Research and Information on substance Abuse (CRISA), funded by the European Union about 14.3 million abuses drug by using them without prescriptions, and there are close to 3 Million Nigerians living with some level of drug dependence.

The level of drug abuse in Nigeria, is about 1 in 10 persons. Cannabis is the most abusive substance in Nigeria and that corresponds to global findings as well. Other drugs that were found to be abused in the country included opioids such as tramadol and cough syrups.

RISK FACTORS OF DRUG ABUSE
•Peer influence
•Poor coping skills
•Availability of drug
•Accessibility of drug
•Poor drug supply policy
•Early drug use
•Low self esteem
•Lack of parental supervision
•Parental substance abuse
•Grief/ bereavement
•Academic pressure/failure
•Physical or sexual abuse
•Nature of individual occupation
•Unemployment
•Prolong use of psychoactive drugs
•Bad company
•Illiteracy
•Some diseases such as cancer and mental disorders

COMMON DRUGS OF ABUSE

1. Psychoactive drugs:
   Are those that affect mind and mental process (brain), examples:

•Tobaccos/Nicotine such cigarette, marijuana, shisha etc
•Alcohol
•Stimulant e.g cocaine, caffeine
•Strong opioid drugs e.g Pentazocine,
morphine, heroin
•Moderate opioid e.g trydal (Tramadol)
•Expectorants e.g emzolyn, exiplon, coflin, codine etc
•Anxiolytic drugs e.g Diazepam, bromazepam, carbamazepine
•Antipsychotic drugs e.g chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, trifluoperazine
•Antiparkinson drugs e.g Benzhexol (artane)
•Inhalants e.g gasoline, rubber band (shalisho)
•Anaesthetic agent e.g ketamine, propofol, ametocaine, halothane

2. Non psychoactive drugs:
   Are those drugs that didn’t alter mental processes when abuse but they effect the body directly or indirect examples:
   •Analgesic (Pain killer) such as acetaminophen and aspirin
   •Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ebumol, diclofelnac and piroxicam
   •Steroidal anti inflammatory drugs such as predinisilone, dexamethasone and butamethasone
   •Antibiotics such as amphiclox, amoxyl and tetracycline

OTHERS
•Pawpaw leaves
•Lizard faeces
•Jik
•Groundnut shell
•Nail polish remover
•Robin blue etc

EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE
•Brain damage, memory loss, attention difficulties, and impaired judgment
•Cancer
•Cardiovascular disease e.g cardiac arrest, stroke, hypertension
•Hepatitis e.g Hepatitis A, B and C
•HIV and AIDS, and other infectious diseases
•Legal problems
•Academic problem e.g exam failure and withdrawal from school
•Social problems e.g isolation and relationship difficulty
•Liver disease e.g liver cirrhosis
•Domestic violence and other violence
•Respiratory diseases e.g lung cancer, respiratory problems and bronchitis etc
•Marital problems e.g divorce
•Kidney disease e.g renal failure
•Loss of job
•Malnutrition
•Mental problems/psychological changes such as aggression, paranoia, depression, stupor and hallucinations
•Withdrawal symptoms
•Decrease productivity
•Suicidal behavior
•Trauma such bone deformities, burn and laceration
•Change of skin colour
•Broken home
•Child delinquency
•Child abuse

WAYS OF PREVENTING DRUG ABUSE
•Strengthen the agencies that control criminal use of drugs e.g National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
•Shun self medication even when you fall sick
•Youth empowerment
•Job opportunities by the government
•Ensure effective control of legal drugs supply
•Avoid prolong use of addictive drugs e.g pentazocine
•Manufacturers control
•Monitor children closely especially during adolescence stage
•Establishment of centres for rehabilitation of victims
•Guidance and counselling
•Provision of skills acquisition centres
•Avoid use of abusive substances when children are present e.g cigarette.

NB:
Shun drug abuse, as it is injurious to the body systems and lives.

Nr. MUHAMMAD ABDULBASIT
Rn,BNSC (udus)

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