Written by: Eberechukwu Ezennaya
According to Dr Ananya Manda, an Asian specialist in clinical pharmacology, Drug abuse is the use of certain chemicals for the purpose of creating pleasurable effects on the brain.
Leah Miller a mental health counsellor in the United States described drug abuse as the inappropriate use of substances including alcohol, prescription medication, or illegal drugs for purposes such as pleasure, to feel or perform better in certain situations, or to change one’s perception of reality.
United States Medical expert, Roxenne Edwards asserts that drug abuse and addiction, now both grouped as substance or drug use disorder , is a condition characterized by a self-destructive pattern of using a substance that leads to significant problems and distress, which may include tolerance to or withdrawal from the substance.
In addition, the National Institutes of Health, Spain related drug abuse as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences.
Cannabis, marijuana and hashish are the most widely abused drugs in the world. Around 141 million people worldwide consume cannabis.
The use of stimulants such as amphetamine and ecstasy is also widespread, with nearly 30 million people abusing these drugs.
Cocaine is used by around 13 million people across the globe, with the highest number of users in the United States. Abuse of heroin and other opioids is less common than with other drugs and is taken up by around 8 million people worldwide.
The adverse effect of drug abuse is not just individually detrimental but threatening to the society at large.
To reduce the increasing rate of drug and substance abuse by mass awareness and education have been adopted by the world.
It is on this ground that the United Nations has earmarked June 21st as an international day to preach, act and fight against drug abuse.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Nigeria has also joined global forces in intensive campaign against drug abuse.
Speaking at this year’s commemoration of the international day against drug abuse in Abuja, the NDLEA boss, Gen Buba Marwa (Rtd) disclosed that about 10.6 million Nigerians who are between the ages of 15 and 64 are addicted to drug.
It was also discovered that among every 4 drug users in Nigeria 1 is a woman and 1 in 5 persons who had used drugs in each year is suffering from drug user disorders.
Consequently, two-thirds of people who used drugs reported having serious problems, as result of their drug use, such as missing school or work, doing a poor job at work/school or neglecting their family or children.
More so, 1 in 8 persons of adult population in Nigeria has suffered some kind of physical or psychological trauma due to another person’s drug use.
In a separate report by the National Bureau of Statistics, nearly one quarter of high-risk drug users had been arrested for a drug-related offence during the course of their drug use, while the majority (73%) had been arrested for possession of drugs, many high risk drug users had also been arrested for theft (12%), sex work (5%), burglary ( 4%) and shoplifting (2%).
While these figures remain highly mind – disturbing, it is a sound welcome development as the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency launch the “WAR AGAINST DRUG ABUSE” today.
A society free of illicit use of drugs and substances is achievable.
Therefore, Nigerians must responsibly key into the aggressive campaign against drug abuse.
Political, religious, traditional, academic, social and family leaders must boldly lead in this salvaging war by matching words with action.
The Non – governmental organizations are not left out in public orientation towards the disastrous outcome of drug abuse.
Also, helpless victims of drug abuse must be encouraged and supported by all therapeutic approach in getting over this addiction.
Curt Cobain got it right when he exclaimed “Drugs are a waste of time. They destroy your memory and your self-respect and everything that goes along with your self-esteem.”
Furthermore, the criminality of drug abuse was inarguably exposed by a drug fighter Dominic Milton Trott when she said, “To hold sovereign and exclusive ownership of one’s own conscious mind, to explore freely and without boundary, is surely the most fundamental of human rights. Third party intrusion into this wholly personal territory is a grievous breach of this inalienable freedom”.
Going forward, we all must be sincerely committed to sharing facts on drug, thus, saving lives.
Written by: Eberechukwu Ezennaya
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