SHUN DRUG ABUSE FOR OUR COLLECTIVE SAFETY - NDLEA

Mr Njemanze Chuks, Head of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) on camp has informed the 2021 Batch C Stream 1 corps members that substance abuse increases social vices such as crime, insecurity, poverty and death. 

During his lecture on Wednesday at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede, he oriented the corps members of the evils of substance abuse. 

According to him, risk factors of substance abuse include strained relationships, academic failure, mental stress and chaotic home environment. On the other hand, protective factors include a healthy lifestyle, United home, success at school or work and a harmonious marriage. 

He went ahead to list examples of substances that are commonly abused. They are alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and concoctions such as monkey tail, skushies, biscuits and cakes laced with cannabis. He urged corps members to steer clear of these substances as it adversely affects their health including the Central Nervous System(CNS). 

Furthermore, he identified the signs of substance abuse as drowsiness, mouth odour, slow breathing, sleeplessness. In most chronic cases,  cardiovascular, kidney, and liver diseases are common. Psychological issues such as resistance to law enforcement, loss of interest in activities, cheating & lying amongst others are also signs of substance abuse. 

According to him, substance abuse develops in stages. The first stage is the initiation/experimental stage where the individual tests out the product. The second stage is the occasional users whereby the individual abuses the substance at parties or events. 

At the third stage, the individual goes out looking for substances as a regular user. Finally, when a person is addicted to substances, he/she can’t function properly without substances. 

He talked about treatment for substance abusers and let the corps members know that the first step to recovery is the acknowledgment of an addiction problem. This is then augmented with therapy and medication. 

Conclusively, he shared statistics which show that in Nigeria , 20 Million people abuse substances and 15% of them are addicts. 

He informed the corps members of a drug free CDS group in NYSC that educates them on substance abuse and it’s vices and also empowers them to reorientate the community.