The Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative of Nigeria (SURPIN) has called for a holistic approach to reverse the increasing rate of substance use and drug abuse in the country.
The Training Coordinator of SURPIN, Ms Titilayo Tade, made the call in an interview on Thursday in Lagos.
Tade called for the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders in addressing the menace of drug abuse, saying that effective prevention and intervention required a multilayered approach.
She said that the increasing rate of drug abuse/substance use, and its corresponding devastating effects made it pertinent for stakeholders including governments, families, parents, policymakers and organisations to collectively look at the issue with a view to addressing it.
A report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that the prevalence of drug use in Nigeria is estimated at 14.4 per cent, that is 14.3 million people aged between 15 and 64 years.
The report revealed an increase of about 8.8 per cent from the 5.6 per cent recorded from a prior survey conducted in 2019, and more than twice the global average.
It showed that the highest level of drug used was recorded among people aged 25 to 39, with cannabis being the most widely used drug.
She explained that majority of the suicide cases handled by SURPIN came from young people under the age 30 years, who abused drugs or due to life challenges, had either attempted suicide or were planning to attempt.
Tade said research had shown that reasons for substance or drug abuse by people were multifactorial, ranging from genetics issues, early deprivation, adversity, influence and exposure to relative or friends who abused substances.
She added that studies had consistently shown that wherever there were issues of poor social infrastructure, poverty, unemployment, low educational opportunities and financial instability, among others, there would be prevalence of substance abuse.
Tade decried that many youths were embracing several crude options for getting “high”, saying that sniffing glue, petrol, sewage and urine as inhalants were becoming common.
“These things are chemicals; and these youths want something that will create euphoric effects to get them high; the smell of petrol has been shown to get people high.
“Also, exposure to the internet gives these youths access to a lot of wrong and bad information that will give them a ‘cheap high’,” she said.
To address the public health and social problems resulting from abuse of drugs, Tade called for increased implementation of advocacy, and public awareness campaign through the print, social and electronic media, as well as religious institutions at community level.
She stated that there should be improved involvement of educational institutions through emphasis in the curriculum and programmes about the dangers of drug abuse.
She advocated for implementation of the Mental Health Law, saying that the law if implemented, would help to address issues of prevention, management, stigmatisation and also enhance mental health-seeking behaviour among citizens.
She called for an improvement in the country’s socio-economic parametres, toward reducing poverty, unemployment, stress, and traffic decongestion.
“Sometimes, frustration, hopelessness, boredom are factors that also push some people into drugs.,” she said.
NAN
