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The use of drugs in developing countries such as Nigeria have in recent times been a social problem loaming the society and people are seen being victim, most especially vibrant youths. these set of people that have fallen victim over the years are either users or courier. Two of my distant cousins are clinically insane with chains on their hands and legs because of the abuse of marijuana.
Whenever the drug topic comes up, people are quick in casting their minds on medicines that are prescribed by doctors or medical personnel when we fall sick but drugs mean so much more than that.
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The term drug to a pharmacist is a chemical preparation for the treatment of a diseases. It is also any substance that can affect a person’s thinking behavior and body activities. This substance may either be positive or negative depending on its use and these drugs can be taken orally, by injection, by smoking, sniffing etc. There are 2 types of drug users and they are; the drug abusers and the drug misusers.
DRUG ABUSE AND MISUSE
This is the taking of drugs without it being prescribed by a doctor. Some these commonly abused drugs include tobacco, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, coffee, kola nuts etc.
Drug misuse on the other hand is the irregular way of taking drugs prescribed by a doctor and this can lead to over dose or under dose.
There are drugs that are accepted or lawful to be taken by the generals public without fear of being arrested or prosecuted for its use e.g. Alcohol, tobacco, kola nut, coffee etc. alcohol as a socially accepted drug affect judgment and decision making abilities, it slows down the central nervous system and brain functions thereby reducing coordinative functions.
MY EXPERIENCE WITH DRUG ABUSE
During my university days, I had a friend who had sleep disorder so at night everybody was fast asleep she will always be awake and to remedy this problem, her dad took her to the hospital and she got a prescription of a drug that could induce sleep. At least the drug worked for some time and it was no longer making her sleep. When she told me, I boasted for hours that the drug will not be able to make me sleep 😂😂 . To put the issue to rest she decided to give me a little sip of it despite my telling her I could take the full dose💪💪 . I was watching a movie afterwards while she went to the market, the movie came to an end, she came back from the market, cooked , went for a class that lasted for about 2 hours ,came back from the class but I was not aware of any of this because I was busy sleeping. I slept for two good days nonstop and sadly I missed a test of about 15marks.
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NON-SOCIALLY ACCEPTED DRUGS
STIMULANTS;
There are drugs which increase the activities of the central nervous system e.g. Cocaine, methamphetamine etc. mild stimulants include kola nut, coffee etc. Cocaine; is a powerful additive drug that can lead to physical and psychological dependence.
DEPRESSANTS;
This drug reduces the activities of the central nervous system resulting in sedation but when taken in accordance to prescription, it can be of help in relieving anxiety, irrationality, stress, and tension.
NARCOTICS
This refers to a wide range of chemical substances used clinically to decrease pain. They are highly abused e.g. codeine, heroine. Narcotics mean to take away the feeling.
INHALANTS;
These are mood altering substances that are being inhaled voluntarily. They are not medicine neither are they socially accepted, they are not even illegal, instead they are chemical substances found in everyday items at home and work places e.g. petrol, glue, rubber solution, nail polish remover, correction fluid, thinners etc.
FACTORS THAT LEAD TO DRUG ABUSE
• To enhance performers
• Peer group pressure characterized by the desire to be accepted among friends or social group.
• Social pathologies such as unemployment and frustration ( drug help me forget my problems )
• Emotional and physiological stress characterized by anxiety, depression, low self esteem etc.
• Easy availability of substance
• Advert on TV e.g. drink responsibly.
CONSEQUENCES OF DRUG ABUSE
People who are exposed to drugs often experience social, economic, psychological, emotional and social consequences.
SOCIAL:
A youth on drugs would not be interested in going to school; he/she would become a truant. Truancy would increase the rate of illiteracy, and unemployment among youth which may invariable turn them into criminals. It is a known fact that drug abuse aggravate crime rate within any particular society, it brings about armed robbery , which in most cases results in murder , assault and rape. Observation and interrogation of arrest criminals reveals that they rely on illicit drugs to execute their nefarious activities. Drug abuse leads to family disintegration, especially where the head of the family is involved. There would be neglect and possible violence such as wife battering , murder etc.
PSYCHOLOGICAL:
Drug abuse can cause sleeplessness, restlessness, anxiety, depression, craving desire, withdrawal symptoms and invariability premature death, memory impairment, hallucination etc.
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A man that went mad taking drugs
Before the drugs
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My team was in a closed door meeting with the director general of national drug law enforcement agency for project commissioning and approval of rural drug free strategy designed by my team.
