By ASC Fahad Chikaji Ahmed
Substance abuse among youths and young adults in Nigeria has been a significant health, social, educational and psychological problems that threaten sustainable human carrier development. Numerous to number studies looked into substance abuse among young adults and reported some of the causes leading to doing drugs and how the menace can be wiped away; though less researchers examined the implications of substance abuse among on sustainable human carrier development and alternative strategies that can be adopted towards ensuring an end to the menace in which behavior change communication (BCC) can play a withstanding role.
Depending on NAFDAC (2000) as cited by Haladu (2003) the commonest substances abused by young people in Nigeria are in line with the following categorizations:
Stimulants: are sourced from caffeine substances that affect central nervous system to give pleasant effects to users initially and later causes loss of memory, dullness, mental disorder, speech impairment, mental stress and physical disorganization.
Hallucinogens: alter the sensory processing unit in the brain to produce distorted perception, teaching of anxiety, euphony sadness and inner joy.
Narcotics: are sourced from heroin, codeine, opium etc. they relief pains and induce sleeping; and later on cause stroke, diabetes among others.
Sedatives: are sourced from valium, alcohol, promethazine and chloroform which later causes dizziness, dullness, problems with movements and memory, risk of fall and injury etc.
Miscellaneous: is sourced from spot remover’s tubes and perfume chemicals that cause worsening depression and anxiety, organs failure, brain cancer and behavioral disorder.
In spite of the widespread of consciousness of consequences of drug abuse, its causes are but not limited to:
Curiousity: having heard about drugs, seen drug doers in reality or on Tv, teenagers may be anxious to experience them for themselves.
Depression: when sadness or disheartening thing happens to someone, he/she will start thinking of the best way out to happiness once a new hence doing hard drugs comes in to be a habit.
Unemployment: having no job means ample free time that might be seized by devils to introduce one to substance abuse trickily.
An Escape from Reality: family issues break happy being what brings about taking drugs to escape that unfortunate reality.
Low Level of Education
Poor Family Upbringing Method
Mental and Poor Physical Health Conditions
Preventive Measures and Solutions
Family Influence: if parents an talk to their children right from home about drug abuse and explain its consequences which can lay a strong foundation for awareness and help parents show boundaries to their children; as it as well leads to making wise decisions when it comes to adopting habits, making friends, chasing interests and adhering to influences.
Educational Tools: attempts have been being made to by government agencies, community leaders and school personnel to train children about living a drug free life before adulthood. (Krystina Murray 2019)
Stop Addiction Before It Gets Worse
Get All Unused Pharmaceuticals out of the Home
Get the Kid Involved in Extracurricular Activities
Vet the Friends and Social Circles of the Kids
Cut the Electronics down a Notch or watch over their online activities for videos exposing people to drug abuse are trending.
Get them involved in Family Projects
Insist on Healthy Lifestyles in the meal form of healthy meals for unhealthy eating habit begets other unhealthy habits of living. (Ren 2018)
Make time for children.
ASC Fahad Chikaji Ahmed is a Kaduna State Gender Ambassador, Team Leader Arewa Youth Trust Foundation Doctor Of Excellence
World Humanitarian Ambassador.