THE present epidemic level of drug abuse in the country is assuming a worrisome and alarming dimension causing enormous problems to the individual and society. The heat of substance abuse is being felt and seen on our streets through the prism of compulsive drug craving and hawking youngsters unleashing terror and violence across the length and breath of the nation.
DRUG abuse has been described as the repeated and excessive use of chemical substances that is capable of changing chemical composition of the body and can modify the person’s behaviour. It is also referred to as the maladaptive additive use of drugs for non-medicinal purposes.
THE widespread and uncontrolled misuse of drugs is on the rise and no section of the country is exempted from the menace. Consequently, Nigeria is listed among countries of the world that have not been able to fight this problem effectively. Furthermore, the problem, instead of diminishing, is growing at an alarming rate, threatening to tear the people of this country apart.
BUBA Marwa, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) submitted that no community in Nigeria is exempted from drug abuse and that about 15 million Nigerians consume illicit drugs. He added that one out of seven Nigerians takes hard substance. These drugs include cannabis, sedative-hypnotics, amphetamines, and alcohol.
THE abuse of volatile solvents and other substances has also been noted.Indeed, a number of factors have been put forward as the causes of escalating drug abuse in Nigeria. They include peer pressure among the youths, curiosity, ignorance, frustration, lack of parental care and unrestricted access to the harmful drugs.
THE consequences of drug abuse is grave and diverse including the destruction of people’s lives by making them irresponsible to themselves and society as well as making it impossible for them to realize their potentials. Other negative effects of drug abuse are health problems, destruction of families and social values systems. With regards to youths and students, the consequence is that students that indulge in drug abuse do not care about their studies and futures once they are hooked on drugs. They also indulge in other nefarious activities and tendencies such as cultism, fighting, raping and other crimes.
ALSO, drug abuse affects both the mind and body. Medical experts have pointed out that drug abuse has devastating effects on the mind, behaviour, and relationships. They warned that it can destroy vital systems and functions that may culminate in permanent disability or even death. In addition, persistent taking of the drugs will not only be injurious to health but will make the addicts dependent on them. Drug abusers have been known to become violent and have been found to commit crimes which otherwise without drug they would not dare to commit. In addition, drug abuse heightened security challenges
THE way Nigeria is going concerning the hydra- headed muster called drug abuse suggests that something drastic needs to be done to secure the future of its people since it propels negative actions particularly among the youths. What is even more worrisome is that under-aged children including secondary school pupils are involved in abuse of drugs in the country. More so, the burden of drug abuse is still high despite the existing laws, policies and strategies for prevention.
FROM the above it becomes expedient to curb or wipe out the menace of drug abuse in the country. One of the important steps to take is to engage in extensive public enlightenment campaign highlighting the dangers associated with drug abuse. Other measures to combat the evils of drug abuse include aggressive annihilation of the sources of illegal drugs as well as arrest and punishment of drug abusers.
THE society and the media have a lot of roles to play towards the extinction of drug abuse in the country.. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) should intensify efforts to combat the menace of drugs misuse and abuse. The recently launched War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) by President Muhammadu Buhari should be embraced, supported and vigorously pursued by government at all levels in the country. The governments should be more committed to fighting the drug war to forestall the debilitating and destructive effects of the drug abuse especially among our youths .