By Joseph Edegbo
Over 70% of young Nigerians are involved in drug abuse, with 80% of the drug abusers being children of the rich and elite, a medical expert has said,
Speaking at one-day seminar on; “Drug Abuse Among Nigerian Adolescents: A Deter to National Development” organised by Youth Interfaith Council (YIC) on Saturday, Tunde Banjo of the National Eye Centre, Kaduna North West Nigeria, said some youth don’t even know that they are into abuse of drug.
The expert said daily intake of beverage, kolanut, paracetamol and other analgesics without doctor’s prescription as well as excessive intake of cigarettes and alcohol amount to drug abuse.
Banjo, whose paper was titled, “Effects of Drug Abuse on Young People”, added that drug abuse could emanate from peer group pressure, ignorance, emotional, psychological stress, easy access, desperation, social pathologies, to heighten athletics performance and occupational susceptibilities.
Drug abuse, he emphasised, can have medical, physical, social, economical and psychological effects.
“Any chemical substance incorrectly used is drug abuse, 70% of young people are involved in drug abuse. Taking mineral daily, constant and frequent intake of coffee and painkillers, taking drugs that can change a person’s mood and perception, using drugs for non-medical purposes are all abuse of drugs.
“Other forms of drug abuse include ingestion of cocaine, analgesics, cough syrup, snuff, cigarette, alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, inhalants, hallucinogens, amphetamines coffee, sedatives. The effects of drug abuse include premature death, impotence, damage of the brain, liver, kidney, lung and heart.”
According to the medical expert, while it’s easy to get into drug abuse it’s often difficult to kick away the habit as such people continue to go deeper into it. He urged for strong desire and will power to stop the addiction using attitude, conscience and thinking.
A retired nurse, Rabi Binchan, in her paper titled “National Development: Effect of Positive Youth Contributions”, said without the youth there can be no leadership. She said for unity and peace there is need for neighbourhood friendship and watch, spirit of live and let live, listening to youth and supporting their view, youth involvement in decision making among others.
Chairman of YIC, Sheriff Olutusin said YIC was formed in 2012 to provide platform for Muslim and Christian youth leaders coming together in sincere and concrete dialogue from the various perspectives to identify and address conflict and youth common and specific poverty related challenges. He said they try to preach love, peace, unity and justice.
“Our community today is divided along religious lines and issues of faith, socio- political, cultural and economic relationships, which are the route cause of many conflicts. YIC strives to build bridges to reduce prejudices and mistrust while creating the space for Integration, understanding and collaboration,” he said.
The seminar which was attended by Muslim and Christian youth faith Organisations and groups also featured good will messages from religious leaders and Security agencies, including the Prisons, Immigration and Federal Road Safety Corps.
