Drug abuse is one of the major public health challenges that has an impact on global productivity and development. Nigeria faces a huge danger as the scale of drug abuse increases with significant impact on the youth population especially adolescents. According to the Nigeria Drug Use Survey Report 2018, drug use prevalence is estimated at 14.4% above the 2016 global average of 5.6%. Men are more likely than women to use drug with 1 in every 4 drug users, a woman. Women account for 7% of the drug users in Nigeria. The increasing use and abuse of drugs among young population indicates a disturbing phenomenon for the future of the country. [1]
Development transition from childhood to adolescence is a critical period that comes with lots of sensitivities. As a sensitive stage, adolescence go through series of changes and personal discoveries which lead to a sense of awakened maturity, demand for independence, seeming rebellion, increased socialization or isolation fueled by adventure, curiosity or mood swings. It’s a period where young people are most vulnerable to peer pressure and social vices. [2]Most research suggests that early (12–14 years old) to late (15–17 years old) adolescence is a critical risk period for the initiation of drug use and that drug abuse may peak among young people aged 18–25 years.[3]
Types of drugs
Different types of drugs are abused ranging from stimulants that are used to stimulate the body system for increased energy. Most caffeine substances provide these effects for users at the initial stage. The use of sedatives such as valium and alcohol among others is quite high and commonly in use to relieve stress, tension and anxiety, induce sleep that may cause some relaxation. Tranquilizers such as librium and valium are used to experience calmness that is void of any form of sleepiness. Other types commonly in use are hallucinogens known to distort perception amongst other through the alteration of sensory processing unit of the brain. The non-medical use of opioids such as tramadol, codeine, and morphine, and codeine-based cough syrup and a range of volatile solvents or inhalants such as smoking lizard parts and dung, sniffing glue, petrol, sewage urine and spot removers, tube repair, perfumes, chemicals[4] The unrestrained availability of these types of drugs are a source of concern and increasing the challenge.
Causes of drug abuse
Drug abuse is caused by social, psychological and biological factors. The opportunities, effects, manifestation differ in various people as many factors may come play for the choice of drug abuse. In social factors, peer influence/pressure is major cause that drives other elements. Young people are very vulnerable to peer pressure. Others include imitation or role modelling, cultural and religious practices, lack of family support and parenting, easy availability of drugs within the neighbour or environment and rapid development of communities and cities. Psychologically curiosity, mental and emotional distress, childhood trauma cause drug abuse. Family history and genetic, strong effects of drugs, misuse of medically prescribed drug, existing preconditions or disorders and biochemical issues are associated to biological factors. [5]
The danger of drug abuse on young people is very high—their academic is affected with high absenteeism coupled with learning challenging, and potentially drop out of school. Health is affected as the central nervous system is compromised, body organs are stressed and damaged, diseases conditions including sexual transmitted infection such as HIV. A range of the mental health challenges will occur including depression, personality disorder, memory issues and potentially suicide. The behaviour of a drug user may result in societal and personal danger of fatal accident, injuries, violence, crimes involving gangs, prostitution, drug trafficking, robbery, financial and economic loss, involvement in unhealthy behaviour. While it is acknowledging the challenge is on the increase, awareness and appreciation of the enormity of the drug abuse challenge has not been translated into effective policy implementation. Treatment and prevention strategies should be the focus. Currently there are huge gaps in relation access to treatment with available treatment services offering suboptimal care. Prevention should be strengthened to target young people and support increased by all sectors including the justice sector in the face of attempted suicide. [1]
[1] Sahu K.K & Sahu S. (2016) Substance Abuse causes and Consequences; Bangabasi Academic Journal Vol. 9 ISSN 2249-0655 pp 52 -59 Available online from file:///C:/Users/aonyemelukwe/Downloads/SubstanceAbuseCausesAndConsequences.pdf (Accessed 3 July 2019)
[1] Federal Ministry of Health (2018) Report of Drug Use and Health in Nigeria Available Online from https://www.unodc.org/documents/nigeria//Drug_Use_Survey_Nigeria_2019_BOOK.pdf ( Accessed 30 June 2019)
[2] Obiechina G.O & Isiguzo B.C (2016) Curbing the menace of drug use among secondary school students in Nigeria; European Journal of Research and Reflection in Educational Sciences vol. 4 No. 1 pp:54-64 Available online from https://www.idpublications.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Full-Paper-CURBING-THE-MENACE-OF-DRUG-USE-AMONG-SECONDARY-SCHOOL-STUDENTS-IN-NIGERIA.pdf ( Accessed 1 July 2019)
[3] United Nations office of Drug and Crime (2018) World Drug Report Available online from https://www.unodc.org/wdr2018/prelaunch/WDR18_Booklet_4_YOUTH.pdf (Accessed 30 June 2019)
[4] Fareo D.O (2012) Drug Abuse among Nigerian Adolescents: Strategies for Counselling; The Journal of International Social Research; Vol 5 Iss. 20 pp: 341-346 Available online from http://www.sosyalarastirmalar.com/cilt5/cilt5sayi20_pdf/6_egitim/faroe_oluremi.pdf ( Accessed 1 July 2019)
[5] Sahu K.K & Sahu S. (2016) Substance Abuse causes and Consequences; Bangabasi Academic Journal Vol. 9 ISSN 2249-0655 pp 52 -59 Available online from file:///C:/Users/aonyemelukwe/Downloads/SubstanceAbuseCausesAndConsequences.pdf (Accessed 3 July 2019)
