Drug Abuse As A Trend Among The Youths

The rate at which drug abuse is on rampage in the society these days is quite alarming and it is seen in every nook and cranny of every community in Nigeria. Though it is not limited to the youths alone, it is more rampant among the youths.

It is largely promoted by the movie and music industries due to the fact that hardly can one watch a movie without finding scenes where drugs are being abused. Musicians also abuse drugs to suppress stress and stage fright. These days, some youths are found in broad daylight abusing drugs on the streets while many of them have become mentally unstable because of the act.

 Commonly abused drugs include cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, heroin, diazepam, codeine, cough syrup and tramadol. Sources where abusers obtained these drugs are usually pharmacies/patent medicine shops, open drug markets, drug hawkers, fellow drug abusers, friends, and drug pushers. It is common among undergraduates and secondary school students, youths, commercial bus drivers, farmers, and sex workers.

The World Health Organisation, WHO, describes substance abuse as the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. One of the key impacts of illicit drug use on society is the negative health consequences experienced by users.

Drug abuse may lead to health problems, social problems, morbidity, injuries, unprotected sex, violence, deaths, motor vehicle accidents, homicides, suicides, physical dependence or psychological addiction, it also puts a heavy financial burden on individuals, families and society.

One of the causes of drug abuse is peer pressure, with many people who end up in drug rehab citing direct negative peer pressure as one of the initial causes that led them to addictive behaviour pattern. Direct negative pressure can often involve a group of friends or peers directly asking someone to do something. This pressure is very toxic and difficult to resist.

Another cause of drug abuse among the youths is lack of attention. Some parents throw caution to the wind in matters relating to their children by denying them the needed attention.

Children need proper attention because there are many things going on around them that can make them go astray but if there is a strong bond between them and their parents or guardians, majority of the heinous acts and drug abuse by the youths will be minimised.

Furthermore, exposure to programmes promoting drug abuse on TV and internet can also lead to drug abuse. These days, hardly can one watch a movie that does not promote drug abuse. What about the music of nowadays?

Even the musicians themselves abuse drugs in order to manage stress and it is what they display in their music videos. They also sing songs that revolve round drug abuse and this exactly is why people are no longer afraid of abusing drugs in public places.

To limit the increase of drug abuse in the society, it is advisable that youths and children be enlightened about the risk involved in drug use and misuse. Parents are encouraged to listen attentively to their children whenever they talk about peer pressure in order to know the necessary steps to be taken and support their efforts to resist it.

Any parent who wants to stop his/her child from abusing drug must first be a good example because it has been realised that children of parents who misuse drugs are at greater risk of drug addiction.

In addition, children who lack parental care and attention mostly find succour in whatever can fill the vacuum and such may end up being drug abusers. Parents are urged to pay the needed attention to their children because when there is a strong bond between them, it can reduce the child’s risk of abusing drugs.

Those who are suffering from the effect of drug abuse should seek proper care from relevant places before it gets out of hands. Our people are urged to support and show love to those who are undergoing medical care to overcome drug addiction and not make them feel isolated or stigmitised.

*Akwu Philemon, is a programme officer at a public health based NGO in Utako area of Abuja

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