Drug abuse: Experts raise concern as mental illnesses cases triple
The report further indicated that over 296 million people globally used drugs in 2021, an increase of 23 per cent over the previous decade.
“Meanwhile, we must step up responses against drug trafficking rings exploiting conflicts and global crises to expand illicit drug cultivation and production, especially synthetic drugs, fueling illicit markets and causing greater harm to people and communities,” UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly said.Like many other countries, Nigeria faces significant challenges in combating drug abuse and trafficking.
He said that in the past two and a half years, the agency had strengthened the nation’s law enforcement efforts to cut down on the supply of drugs in society. In a statement, the former Anambra State governor noted that the attendant health conditions from drug abuse are unimaginable, including an epidemic of mental health cases and incidents of suicidal behaviour among youth.
“We must empower our youth with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about their lives and provide victims of drug abuse with the resources they need to avoid falling victim to drug abuse.provide them with treatment and necessary support they need to“In the face of these challenges, it is imperative that we adopt a people-centred approach that focuses on prevention and treatment as key pillars of our response,” he said.
“On the other hand, somebody with mental health can abuse drugs. For instance, when someone takes alcohol, loses control, and starts misbehaving, that’s the alcohol causing the abnormal behaviour. He added that: “The impact on mental health for somebody who is vulnerable and predisposed or has the chance of developing mental illness is that using drugs can make the illness either come earlier or worsen the illness. It can even make the person who has the mental illness not recover.
“For example, someone who abuses drugs goes to steal, is arrested, is incarcerated in the correctional centre, and develops a mental illness. Or someone who uses drugs that affect his ability to care for himself in terms of good health, either by feeding, exercising or other things he should do to remain healthy.
“It could as well be a politician taking decisions on behalf of the people, in which case many people will be harmed. Again, the government is also spending money because the people that abuse drugs generally use the facilities in the hospitals that would have been used for other purposes,” he said. ”Treatment depends on the condition type, the impact level and the place. Also, treatment can be received in the hospital, and it could be given while the person is at home, coming to the hospital. It all depends on the nature of the problem the person has and the stage at which the person is presented at the hospital, as long as the motivation is to withdraw from the substance.
He also stated that many families don’t have the patience to allow their persons to undergo full stages of treatment when brought to the hospital. ”Then a good number of individuals with such problems have caused harm to their family members or the people may not have money again to finance the treatment. All these are part of the challenges for the drug user.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NDLEA arrests 463 suspects, convicts 42 in EdoThe National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has said that the agency has arrested 463 suspects allegedly involved in drug trafficking in Edo State between June 2022 and May 2023.
Read more »
Hajj 2023: Millions of pilgrims in Makkah commence journey to Mina ahead of ArafatThe pilgrims will be staying at Mina in their state of Ihram. They will proceed to Mount Arafat on Tuesday and subsequently move to Muzadalifah where they will spend the night in the open.
Read more »
BET Awards 2023: Burna Boy wins Best International Act a fourth time (FULL WINNERS LIST)Davido's performance of 'Feel it' and 'Unavailable' from his 'Timeless' album was a highlight of the 2023 BET Awards
Read more »
Zamfara govt approves registration of candidates for 2023 WAEC, NECO examsGovernor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has approved the official request to register candidates slated for the 2023 Senior School Certificate Examinations,
Read more »
African Armwrestling Tourney: Oyewusi, Zaanu Qualify For 2023 World Combat GamesNigerian duo of Olubisi Oyewusi and Mauzi Zaanu have qualified for the 2023 World Combat Games, after beating their Ghanaian opponents at the 12th African
Read more »
Hajj 2023: Shortage of tents, food mar first day of Hajj, NAHCON blames Saudi governmentOver 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims were moved to the Mina Valley to officially commence the 2023 hajj on Monday.
Read more »