BY: BOLA SOBOLA                    

According to World Health Organisation (WHO). Drug abuse is tagged as over indulgence in and dependence on a drug substances or their chemicals and the scenerio has become a global health challenges with distinct conditions from place to place.

Recent reports disclosed that drug abuse of substances among others are common among  undergraduates, secondary school students,youths, commercial bus drivers,farmers,and sex workers.  The increasing rate of drug abuse among younger persons reflect the easy accessibility of these drugs through peer group influence and possibly due to lack effective counseling programmes in secondary schools and universities about the danger of drug abuse which requires adequate measures to checkmate the growing devastating effects  on the nation. 

While it is noticeable that National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) under the new leadership of Brig.Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa(rtd), has been working tirelessly to end the illicit drug scourge, Nigerians should be uneasy with the pathetic reports  that about 14.3 million of their citizens are drug abusers, with 10.6 million addicted to cannabis.

A Research study conducted, reviewed that a prevalence of 20-40 percent of drug abuse was reported among students and youths respectively and the most commonly abused drugs include; cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine,heroin, diazepam,codeine,cough syrup, tramadol,among others.

Experts pointed out that sources where abusers obtained substances range from all pharmacies,patent medicine shops,open drug markets,drug hawker, fellow drug abusers, friends and drug pushers among others across border communities. 

Till now it seem ambiguous to hear some of the reasons some people indulge in  abuse of drugs which includes;  the need to increase physical performance to reduce stress, for pleasure, some is due to poor socio-economic factors and low educational background among others reasons. 

According to the world drug report retrieved in (2019) from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), estimated that 271 million (5.5 percent) of the global population ( between age 15 and 64 years)had used drugs in the previous year. It has also been projected that 35million individuals would be experiencing effect of drug use disorders.

For example, Nigeria is considered to be a country with enormous diversity, recording over 400 ethnicities with various religious groups. 

As a matter of fact, abuse of drug substance is therefore viewed to be on the increase within a broader context of its multicultural nature. 

Experts noted that ,most societies do not produce overt behavioural changes but  abuse of drug substances do, which is evident among the youth.

However, despite the growing reports of psychological disorders due to abuse of drug substances common among the youth nowadays in Nigerians. Findings showed that, government has not relented in its consistent outcry condemnation particularly  from regulatory Agencies, public preachers, health professionals, teachers and parents among others to  sensitise the endangered youth to abstain from  drug abuse  in the country.

In carrying out this  onerous task towards addressing  the severity of the situation,NDLEA has embarked on campaign  of appeal seeking for support from all Nigerians in the fight against drug abuse of substances which has  adverse effects on the users and the society at large.

Experts also agreed that for the Regulatory Agencies to succeed in its fight against abuse of drug substances, there must be pragmatic collaboration among law enforcement Agencies, health, social service among others will  help to reduce demand which fuels drug trafficking activities that often stoke crime and criminality in the society.

The access to drugs must be severely limited by ensuring all drug suppliers and chain of distributions are blocked and regulated  through qualified pharmacists.

More so, It has also  been discovered that some  parents who indulge in alcohol and smoking of  cigarettes may likely lure their children in doing the same at the end of the day. So, parents must be good ambassadors to their children.

Parents should always spend quality time with their family and build cordial relationship that will ensure their safety and well-being. They  must always give room for every child to open up their minds in order to foster intimacy among family members.           .                       

While the State and  Federal governments should take the campaign seriously by going from school to school to create Anti Drug substance Club as well as establishing more rehabilitation homes to help restore many affected youths for a better  nation.