DRUG ABUSE: EFFECTS, PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Simply put, drug abuse is the use of prescribed or over-the-counter drugs in excess of the directions given. It also means any non-medical use of drugs. The various classes of drugs may include cannabis, solvents, tranquilizers, barbiturates, cocaine, stimulants, hallucinogens or narcotics.

 Drug abuse has become one of the most widespread and serious public health problems this decade. Addiction of any form is dangerous. What is even more worse is that it is mostly young children and youths that are hit by this storm. Most illicit use of drugs starts at the age of 16-17 years of age. A report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) made on the 24th June, 2021 shows that 275 million people used drugs worldwide last year, while over 36 million people suffered drug use disorders. 

Drug abuse, including single episodes and occasional intoxication affects health and social wellbeing in a variety of ways. Various diseases and conditions associated with drug abuse include hepatitis, tuberculosis, cardiovascular diseases, cirrhosis and neuropsychiatric disorders, complications in pregnancy including fetal distress. The list goes on. 

Furthermore,  the abuse of drugs constitutes as a major cause of impairment of social competence and performance, leading to violence and suicide in some cases. In young persons for example, drug abuse has led to behavioural problem that eventually cause interrupted social and intellectual development. In the industrial sectors, drug abuse has proven to be a major cause of substandard occupational performance. It has also become a critical factor in family disorganization and breakdown where the economic and social costs for drug abuse ar a major burden on family finances for food, shelter and clothing.

Drug abuse undermines the health of individuals, of families and of communities everywhere. A coherent response to drug abuse, whether as a preventative or as a control measure, requires the involvement of individuals, groups and sectors of government.  It is therefore worthy of note that, measures taken to curb the menace of drug abuse are preventative and control measures simultaneously! 

West African countries such as Nigeria has a liking for narcotics like heroin and cocaine intended for European, East Asian and North American markets. The country has a relatively high rate of drug abuse due to the continued availability of illicitly-manufactured and diverted pharmaceutical products containing narcotic and psychotropic substances.

 So, in a bid to tackle drug-related challenges, the UNODC implemented a project, Response to Drugs and Related Organised Crime in Nigeria. The Project has three outcomes. The first outcome is that information and evidence based on drug use, drug crime and policy impact are improved and used for policy and programming.

 The second outcome is to achieve enhanced technical and operational capacity in frontline agencies and services, leading to targeted interventions on drugs and related organized crime in Nigeria as well as improved internal scrutiny processes.

 The final outcome is the capacity to manage drug treatment, rehabilitation and prevention which is improved through the creation of a reliable network of quality drug treatment service providers available for drug users. The key partners for this Project are the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Judiciary to mention a few.

Aside the efforts put forth by international bodies to prevent or control drug abuse, there is the need for community-based and mutual support groups with special interest in this area to handle sensitization programmes on drug abuse. More so, prevention and control of drug abuse are enhanced when effective treatment and rehabilitation are made accessible to affected individuals and groups. As such, it is a collective effort. 

TO BE SAFE IS BETTER THAN TO BE SORRY! SAY ‘NO’ TO DRUG ABUSE!

ALLISON, PHOEBE ONYINYECHI

State Code; OS/21B/1415

Course: LAW

Institution: RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY