How illicit drugs, intoxicants increase mental illness ― Analysts

Youths have been urged to shun hard drugs and other intoxicants to reduce the increasing burden of mental illness in the society.

Speaking in Awka, on the increasing cases of mental challenges, a social Affairs Analyst Professor Peter Katchy said in addition to frustration, depression, environmental factors and social pressure, abuse of drugs contribute significantly to various degrees of mental illness.

Professor Katchy said that illicit drugs and other intoxicants overloads the brain, the liver, kidney and other vital organs and in most cases result to hallucination, melancholia, mania, psychosis, loss of memory, lack of morality, anger and violence among others.

He regretted that increasing unemployment rate and difficult economic condition in the country are forcing more youths into drug addiction.

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Professor Katchy urged parents to strive to give quality education and instil strong moral and ethical values in them to expand their world views and steer their minds to productive ventures as well keep them away from activities that destroy self-extreme and rational reasoning.

He called on churches and communities to increase advocacy and awareness campaign against illicit drugs as well as ensure that all bad joints that trade on illicit drugs are closed.

Katchy urged youths to embrace entrepreneurship and acquire skills that would enable them to become self-reliant and attain full potential in life.

In his reaction, a commercial driver, Mr Jude Nduka said Regulatory and security agencies should take more proactive measure to check distribution and circulation of illicit drugs in the society.