A Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Taiwo Obindo, has called for a holistic approach to reverse increasing rate of substance use and drug abuse in Nigeria.
Obindo, also the President of, Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria (APN) Ms Ezeh, made the call in an interview on Tuesday in Lagos.
He said that abuse of substances and drugs had became prevalent among young adults.
According to him, more than 90 per cent of psychiatric patients at the rehabilitation homes and psychiatric hospitals are young adults/youths who developed mental illness due to drug abuse.
The psychiatrist said research had shown that genetic issues, early deprivation, adversity, influence and exposure to relatives or friends who abused substances promoted drug abuse in people.
He 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, substance abuse would be prevalent.
Obindo decried that many youths were embracing several crude options for getting high.
According to him, sniffing glue, petrol, sewage, and urine are becoming common.
He also decried the effects of the internet and social media on the mental health of many youths, saying that many young people got the wrong information on drug abuse and other atrocities from the internet.
“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 concerning most of these toxicant substances/drugs and how they can be used to get what they want,” he said.
Obindo, therefore, called for more efforts to address the public health issues and social problems resulting from the abuse of drugs.
He said that such efforts should include increased advocacy and public awareness campaigns through the print, social and electronic media and religious institutions at the community level.
He also called for the need to increase the involvement of educational institutions through emphasis on the curriculum and programmes about the dangers of drug abuse.
According to him, there is need for increased sensitisation programmes in secondary schools to educate students about the inherent dangers and effects of drug abuse.
The mental health advocate emphasised need to improve Nigeria’s socio-economic parameters toward reducing poverty, unemployment, stress and traffic decongestion.
He said, “Sometimes frustration, hopelessness, and boredom are factors that push some people to drugs.
“If the government can stabilise the economy by providing the basic amenities, security, job opportunities, and a conducive environment for businesses to strive, among others, that will go a long way to curb the menace of drug abuse in society.”
NAN
