Agency Reporter
The President, Nigerian Society of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Professionals, Dr. Martin Agwogie, has called for vigilance on the part of the government and the public.
This, he said, would help mitigate risk factors that could expose individuals to substance use during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Agwogie, who is also the founder/executive director, Global Initiative on Substance Abuse (GISA), said Coronavirus pandemic has presented governments with significant challenges to their economy, health administration and specifically prevention and treatment of substance use problems.
“Particularly worrisome to us, as an association, is the fact that measures put in place to tackle the pandemic and reverse it, inadvertently increase the risk for the burden of substance use problems because mental health problems may trigger or worsen substance use problems, arising from fears about the uncertainty of global economies and rising job losses, homelessness and insecurity.”
“Physical distancing may promote loneliness and lead to relapse and most importantly; prevention strategies are difficult to implement and sustain in this pandemic.”
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