The menace of drug abuse has become a major public health concern with the negative impacts been felt by individual, family, society and the nation at large. It is saddening to know that the viable and working population of the country most especially the youths are the major culprits and victims of drug abuse. Recently, the National Agency for Food, Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Nigeria said that: "an estimated 14.4% i.e. 14.3 million persons are victims of drug abuse in Nigeria. Reference. This is in tandem with that released by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Nigeria few weeks ago. Reference.
Drug abuse comes in various means such as substance abuse, drug misuse and others. Substance abuse deals with the use of psychoactive substances such as cocaine, heroine, marijuana and some of their pharmaceutical derivatives unethically or unlawful by an individual. Drug misuse which is the other form of drug abuse comes in form of incomplete dosage regimen, wrong drug usage through self medication, irrational use of drug especially anti-infectives and so on. Therefore, drug abuse is holistic in nature and should be viewed as such.
I have by privilege based on the nature of my career as a Community Pharmacist i.e. a healtcare practitioner encountered victims of drug abuse. I remembered a vivid story during my final year clinical posting in my undergraduate days some years back how a student develop psychotic condition as a result of exposure to indian hemp by fellow students in the hostel. As a community pharmacist, i have also encountered victims of drug abuse which needs rehabilitation as they were willing to stop the act by the damaging health effects on their body already. Most social vices we have around today like rape, kidnapping, murdering and many others engaged by the youths primarily are as a result exposure to "hard drugs" i.e. substance abuse.
In May 2024, i was part of the team of new executives who paid a courtesy/familiarisation visit to the NDLEA state office of my residence of practice here in Nigeria to foster collaborations between us the Community Pharmacist and the NDLEA which has been yielding positive results. In addition, we have organised a secondary school outreach to some selected government and private schools where we enlighten these young ones about the dangers of drug abuse and the negative effects of this menace on the individual, family, society and the nation at large healtwisely, economically, socially and so on.
Also this year, there have been walk against drug abuse along the major highway of the state capital of my residence of practice here in Osun State, Southwest, Nigeria where Pharmacists troop out in our numbers to enlighten the public on drug abuse. Also, i was by privilege to be part of the team that went on air in a radio program as part of activity to commemorate this year's international day against drug abuse and drug trafficking where we enlighten the public on the various forms of drug abuse/trafficking and the negative effects which are evident in our society while encouraging the public to desist and seek help as at when due.
Therefore, drug abuse in its different forms have negative impact on the society and calls for urgent attention. The government is encouraged to increase sensitisation across board through the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Nigeria. There should be strengthened enforcement of laws guiding the use of drugs and consequences of drug abuse in Nigeria even as prosecution will serve as a warning to others. More drug abuse rehabilitation centers should be made available in each state to rehabilitate the victims. The fight against drug abuse is a collective one involving health practitioners, parents/guardians, communities, religious bodies, educational institutions and the government. I will continue to play my part as a health care professional. Thanks for reading even as comments and contributions are highly welcomed.
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THUMBNAIL DESIGNED USING CANVA