Substance abuse crisis among young people threatening Nigeria’s future — Experts

Medical experts have raised concerns that the increasing spate of substance abuse among young people is a threat to the future of the country.

These experts spoke recently during the 3rd edition of the annual Dr Taiwo Adamson Debate Competition organised by the Association of Resident Doctors, Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta. The theme of the event was “Teenage Substances Use and Mental Illness: A Disease or a Choice.”

A former provost and medical director of the hospital and consultant psychiatrist, Dr Taiwo Adamson, expressed deep concern about the escalating rate of substance use, particularly among the youth, who now synthesise numerous substances to their taste.

Adamson, who now runs a private psychiatric hospital, said: “Eight out of 10 patients we admit are related to drug use. It’s not because of psychiatric illness but because of addictive disorders in these individuals.”

Speaking further, she said: “Before, we knew that Indian hemp came from plants, either from the leaves, stem, or seeds, depending, but now, they go to the laboratory and synthesise Indian hemp, and that is what our boys and girls are using now. They call it Colorado.

“One in my hospital yesterday insisted he was not taking Indian hemp but ‘Colorado.’ I asked what Colorado was, and he explained that Indian hemp was synthesised in a lab. They add exotic spices from the Far East, China and Japan to alter their level of perception, leading to erratic behaviour.”

She expressed worry that when people take these synthetic substances, “they’re like semi-comatose. Methamphetamines send quick messages between the brain and the body. Abnormal messages result in abnormal behaviour. Many of these young people are experiencing this, and it’s disheartening.”

Also speaking at the event, a consultant psychiatrist from the hospital, Oluyinka Majekodunmi, noted that the cases of these abuses are not isolated incidents, but the aftermath of systemic failures dating back almost three decades.

He expressed worry that despite mitigating efforts by stakeholders, the problem remains severe and could have been even more devastating without continuous educational initiatives.

Majekodunmi noted that the factors responsible for the rise in the cases of substance abuse include the global economic downturn, rising insecurity, and erosion of family values, adding that psychological difficulties arising from crises, violence, and wars, often lead individuals to self-medicate using substances.

Speaking in the same vein, Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ogun State, Dr Kunle Ashimi, urged the government to join non-governmental organisations and the medical community to intensify the war against drug abuse.

He, however, commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its efforts in combating substance peddling.

In expressing his concerns, Secretary-General of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, Dr Abayomi Olajide, disclosed that “the effect [of substance abuse] has reached an alarming rate. Eight out of 10 patients in conventional hospitals are related to substance abuse.”

READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE 

• Ailing Chief Kokori dies on 80th birthday

• Revenue: Stop tax waivers, offer rebates, Senate tells FG

• Sports minister meets NFF, Peseiro over AFCON plans

• Kaduna bombing: Fresh twist as protesters demand resignation of Defence Minister

• No money voted to renovate my residence – Gbajabiamila

• PRESSTIME PODCAST: Digital Media, social media, where do we draw the line