Drug abuse in simple terms, is the indiscrimate use of drugs. It could be caused by or lead to drug addiction. There’s no gainsaying as to the prevalence of drug abuse and addiction in our society.
From the guy who sells crack in the street, to the bachelor who has stocked his refrigerator with assorted spirits and beers. From the teenage boys and girls who spend their tuition fees and allowances on cough syrups and tramadol to the market woman who cant do without her agbo.
It’s ubuiquitous. It’s not a black problem , it’s not a white problem. It transverses race, sex, education, religion, and age. According to a research done by Drug Free Club Oau on Alcohol use and abuse on 150 students on OAU campus, it was observed that 76.5% of the males and 59.4% of females have taken alcoholic substance at least once ( which is not a bad thing) , while 32.7% of the males and 19% of the females have been intoxicated by alcoholic substance in the last 30 days (to the time of research).
Many of them drew strong correlations of drug abuse to violent behavior, rape attempts, accidents , drowning and other sad consequences. The health and social harm caused by the illicit use of psychoactive drugs is enormous. This harm includes direct damage to the physical and mental health of users, drastically reducing the length and quality of their lives.
Drug use harms families and communities, also through crimes against property and people. It contributes to traffic and domestic injuries, child abuse, and gender-based sexual violence and other forms of violence. Worldwide, an estimated 27 million people have drug use disorders. More than 400,000 of these people die each year.
The list is endless We cannot continue to groan about its cost ,we should rather take action. We should take conscious efforts collectively and individually to fight drug abuse.For the government, lucid policies concerning distribution and control of drugs should not only be put in place , but duly and meticulously followed.
And like former president of The United States Of America said , “For too long we’ve viewed drug addiction through the lens of criminal justice, The most important thing to do is reduce demand. And the only way to do that is to provide treatment to see it as a public health problem and not a criminal problem.” Drug abuse is only a fallout of the rather unacceptable economic conditions and poor standard of living, so in essence these things have to be addressed in order to tackle drug abuse. Well equipped rehabilitation facilities should be put in place to help addicts get back on their feet.
Corporate bodies should be more involved, drug abuse and addiction has endured and snowballed over time because we have helped it to. Most of our soap operas, galas, shows and competitions are sponsored by this alcohol and tobacco companies so their commercials are everywhere. They have this advantage because they are well-funded.
If only we could have well-to-do individuals that would sponsor these programmes too , if only we could have reminders on the consequences of these things after each of their adverts . It would go a long way.
The ultimate weapon to fight drug abuse lies with every individual. It is the strong resolve to avoid drugs, it is the desire to tell and educate your friend , dad, cousin, aunt , next door neighbor ,colleague and everyone you can tell about drug abuse and the dangers. It is the determination to take action.
Quoting Renaissance artist Dante 'there is no sin greater than inaction'.Every now and then, we should take shots too, let’s fight drug abuse.
