The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Drug abuse

  • Drug Abuse: NDLEA seeks re-introduction of civic education

    Drug Abuse: NDLEA seeks re-introduction of civic education

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is seeking the re-introduction of civic education in schools across the nation.

    Commander of the agency in Enugu State, Anthony Ohanyere, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that the situation in the country with regards to drug use among young persons had made it necessary for civic education, supported by moral instruction to be brought back into school curriculum.

    He said that the two disciplines were vital ingredients in moulding the character of youths and would contribute in engendering patriotism in them.

    His words: “Civic education and moral instruction should be re-introduced in all schools; this will help to reorient our youths from vices, crime and drug abuse.

    “The principle that these disciplines will inculcate will also make the youths patriotic and harness their enormous energy and potentials for positive national engagements.

    “The concepts and ideas like War Against Indiscipline (WAI) should be re-emphasised and fashioned to gain youths support and followership,” he said.

    Ohanyere asked the federal government to strengthen the law against child abuse and human trafficking to check people who distract children from attending schools.

    He called on private educational institution proprietors to support the government in making education cheap and affordable for all.

    “It is believed world over that education is the most potent force to fight drug abuse and crime, since an enlightened mind would decipher good from the bad, and most times, engage in positive and productive activities,” he added.

     

  • Drug abuse among youths rising

    More Nigerian youths are abusing psychoactive substances and this has grave dangers on the society at large. This is according to Prof. Isidore Obot of the Department of Psychology, University of Uyo, who said the most abused substances are alcohol, cannabis (Indian hemp), tobacco, cocaine, heroin and others.

    According to Prof Obot, the problems associated with psychoactive substances (alcohol and other drugs) are many and have been known for a long time, saying that as far back as 1844, the Emir of Nupe, seeking protection for his people against imported rum that was consumed then, said it had “ruined my people” and “has made them become mad”.

    Prof Obot said the use of psychoactive substances brings great risks to both the user and the people around him. Analysis by the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that in 2004, there were 271,190 alcoholic- attributable net deaths, or 2.3 per cent of all deaths. In the same year, alcohol also accounted for 7,787,426 alcoholic-attributable disability adjusted life years.

    On the correlation between alcohol consumption and infectious diseases, the Professor of Psychology said in 2007, an estimated 9.3 million new tuberculosis cases were recorded worldwide. “While most of the cases were in Asia, Africa accounted for 79 per cent of cases reported among HIV infected persons with Sub-Saharan Africa remaining the most affected region as far back as 2008.

    “The illicit drugs abused in Nigeria are cocaine, heroin and they are always injected. Studies have shown that smoking cannabis at a young age may have effects on the brain and behaviour and the abuser will in turn be deleterious to normal cognitive and emotional development.

    “Information gathered based on Psychiatric hospital clients, indicate that Nigerian youths were not only involved in trafficking the drugs but they are also using them,” he said.

    He said 21 per cent of about 1,000 drug users interviewed had injected heroin, cocaine or any other drug, according to a UN agency report, adding that from a recent general population survey of 7,000 adults, 16 per cent of males and 12 per cent of females interviewed reported life-time non-prescription use of sedatives.

    Though there are laws against the use of illicit drugs in Nigeria and the country is a signatory to all UN conventions on drug control and such other laws, Prof Obot said Nigeria currently lacks a policy framework for the control of alcohol sales and harmful consumption.

    “While demand for treatment for drug and alcohol problems has been growing, treatment opportunities are still grossly limited. Professionals are exploring ways nationally to get attention to address this national problem. Part of the effort is a forthcoming symposium,” he said.

    Speaking on the importance of the symposium, Prof Obot said the Centre for Research and Information on Substance Abuse (CRISA), in collaboration with its partners, is set to hold the second national symposium on drugs and drug control policy in Nigeria.

    “This year’s symposium, which held on October 28 and 29, was supported by European Union (EU) funded by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and it focused on the different aspects of drug problems in the country. It addressed several topical areas through different formats, featuring panel discussions with invited experts, who spoke on- Legal and policy framework for drug control in Nigeria; organised crime networks in the ECOWAS and other topics.”

    He said CRISA is the publisher of the influential African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies and organiser of the biennial international conference on “Drugs and Society in Africa”. Other major features included-capacity building sessions, CSO special sessions and poster presentations, which included presentation of drug-related research.

    Meanwhile, CRISA said it has relocated its national headquarters and research library from Jos, Plateau State, to 10 Okon Essien Close, off Okon Essien Street, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. It houses the research library, addiction counseling services unit as well as training and consultancy units.

  • ‘Six in 10 families battling drug abuse’

    The word is out that six in ten families in the FCT are grappling with one form of substance abuse or the other.

    This was revealed when the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) visited the FCT command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    On the visit, AGIS Director, Mrs Jamilah Tangaza said the organisation will partner with agencies in order to achieve good governance.

    Exchanging views with the Agency commandant, Mrs. Chinyere Obijuru, the AGIS chief  expressed shock at the statistics given by the NDLEA  Commandant that as high as six out of every 10 families in the FCT are battling substance abuse.

    She added that the substances ranged from such hard drugs such as cocaine to over-the-counter medications like cough syrups.

    Mrs. Obijuru added that most causes of deviant behaviours amongst university students in the FCT today can be traceable to drug use. “Drug follows money and one of the greatest source of money in the FCT is land business.”

    AGIS Director assured the commandant that the agency would also be useful to the agency in the area of the deployment of geospatial technology in the war against drug abuse.

    AGIS, she said, boasts a corps of capable experts and requisite technological knowhow that the agency could leverage to digitize NDLEA processes especially, the deployment of geospatial technology to stem the activities of drug agents and end-users.

    During the visit AGIS Director recalled her works on the scourge of drug addiction and abuse while at the BBC, saying, “It was clear then that if one did not have one, he or she knew someone battling with the drug.”

    She lamented the devastating impact of drugs on marriages, families, careers and physical well-being of the victims. “Unfortunately,” the Director noted, “the issue of addiction is a global phenomenon prevalent amongst both celebrities and the homeless, the old and young as well as the rich and the poor and has proved too hard to tackle.”

    Mrs. Obijuru, had called on the residents of FCT to be alert to any possible existence of methamphetamine laboratories which, she disclosed, does not only pose risks to its users but also to people resident within the vicinity of the laboratory; “the soil within the vicinity of the methamphetamine lab does not only get contaminated and become hazardous to health but, also, the effects on the soil lasts for nearly six years.”

    She informed AGIS Director of the Command’s plan to build a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts and would appreciate it if the AGIS could support its desire for a plot of land to bring the plan to reality.

    The Command, she said, therefore thought is necessary to solicit the support and collaboration of relevant stakeholders in the battle against drug as well as to generate public awareness on the subject.

    Responding, the Director, AGIS, Mrs. Tangaza welcomed the new Commandant to AGIS and expressed appreciation for the enormous task before the drug agency in the FCT. She noted that any effort to win back our youths and indeed, our citizens from the grip of drug abuse is one that deserves the cooperation of everyone.

    Mrs. Tangaza expressed concern over the near absence of a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation of drug victims, especially among stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.

    She added that the agency’s need for a rehabilitation centre was a welcome idea and is something that the Commandant could take up when the new Minister arrives, promising to give the agency the support of AGIS in its quest.

    While being conducted round AGIS facilities, the NDLEA Commandant expressed delight at the quality IT infrastructure she observed, which she said has enabled better services, more secured land data management operations as well as a solid disaster recovery back-up system that is resistant to even terrorism or fire.

     

  • Is Davido promoting drug abuse?

    It was May 2014 at the World Economic Forum which took place in Abuja. With keen gusto, I watched with how the likes of Ramsey Noah, Charles Novia and other entertainment icons, on various panels, discussed how to proffer solution to economic challenges facing Nigeria and Africa. Not that they are experts in the field of economics but because the industry which they belong has contributed immensely to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy.

    Also, on 22 January, 2015, Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo – popularly known as D’banj – was invited to perform at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland by Tony Elumelu’s Heir Holdings in order to celebrate Africa’s entertainment industry. Nigerian entertainment industry has contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of the entire nation. It has helped in no small measure to rebrand the battered image of the country, bringing to the fore the mazing talents that abound in our part of the world.

    After he released his 6th album titled The Ascension, Nigeria pop star, Tuface Idibia, continued to maintain impressive ranking on the billboard under the world album category as at July 2014. Nigerian artists have continued to lord it over their counterparts across Africa. This affirms the growth of our entertainment industry over the years. From secular artists to gospel musicians as well as our exploits in the cinemas, the message is loud and clear that our creative industry is on the path to prosperity.

    But sometimes one cannot help but wonder at the moral questions raised by the content of our music videos. Raving pop star, Davido, is an artist who had done incredibly well for himself, bagging a flurry of awards and recognitions from far and near. For his creative contributions to the Nigerian music scene, Davido belongs to the league of those that are taking Nigeria to the next level through music. In 2013, the skelewu crooner partnered with Guinness for the Guinness World of More Concert, amongst other high profile events both in Nigeria and in Diaspora. He has also won a retinue of awards, including BET, MTV Africa, Channel O and so on. But his recent hit song titled fan mi where he featured American rapper, Meek Mill, leaves much to be desired of the award winning singer. Shooting gun and encouraging cocaine transaction in a music video is particularly misleading and encourages a propensity for drug abuse among the youths.

    The Oxford Universal Dictionary defines music as, ”that one of the fine arts which is concerned with the combination of sounds with a view to beauty of form and expression of thought or feeling.” Going by the very terms of this definition, it therefore means that the viewers and majority of Davido’s fans will be greatly affected by the gospel of drugs preached by the singer. What is baffling is that majority of his fan are youths who not only relish the spark of his music but go a step further to emulate his steps as role model.

    Davido is clearly not the only culprit though. In contemporary times, a larger chunk of our music video is not teaching the youth moral values; they only fan the embers of decadence and moral depravity. In Nigeria music video, the costume worn by the girls are indecent and provocative, fuelling the alarming rate of wantonness in our society today. The boys are not exempted from this act. Some of them throw naira and dollars around, thereby promoting financial crime through their music. Few years ago, Olu Maintain rocked our airwaves with his yahoozee album and Olamide has not ceased to feed us with his bado philosophy.

    I believe it is expedient to sensitize people especially the youths on the danger of drug abuse.

    The recent moves by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to investigate drug use by Davido is a great way to send a strong message that hard drugs have anti-social implications on its users. They should extend it to Nollywood in order to stop inducing and influencing Nigeria youths into drug addiction. Performing Musician Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) should put stiffer measure on ground to prohibit unwholesome videos.

    Finally, Nigeria media especially, broadcast media, should be regulated by Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to stop broadcasting and promoting unwholesome music. That way, the infiltration of unhealthy values promoted by music artists can be nipped in the bud.

     

    Friday has just finished National Youth Service,

  • Poly advises freshers on drug abuse

    Poly advises freshers on drug abuse

    To fewer than 2,830 freshers took the oath of matriculation at Heritage Polytechnic in Eket, Akwa Ibom State last weekend. The new intakes were told to be of good behavior and shun vices that could dent the image of the institution. Any student found guilty of misconduct will be expelled, the school management said.

    The Registrar, Mrs Iniobong Ekott, administered the oath on the students, who were admitted into full and part time studies for National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND).

    The Rector, Elder Udoyiu Udoyiu, urged the students to take their studies seriously and also be good ambassadors of their families and communities. He said of the over 5,000 candidates applied to the polytechnic, but only 2,830 met the admission requirements.

    Udoyiu advised the freshers to maximise the opportunity of their admission to add values to their lives, urging them to shun cultism, drug abuse, prostitution and others vices that could make them to lose focus of their academic pursuits.

    The occasion witnessed a large turnout of parents, guardians and relatives of the students. The freshers expressed joy, describing the ceremony as a milestone in their lives.

    Gideon Bassey, ND 1 Business Administration, said: “It is a wonderful and memorable day for me. I am glad to have my friends and family members celebrating this day with me today. I hope this matriculation would be the starting point of excellence in my life.”

    Emmanuel Ngonsor admitted into Business Administration Department, said: “I thank God for keeping me alive to witness this special day. I pray that God strengthen us through our periods of studies.”

    Nte John and Christianah Amanawaji promised to take their studies seriously.

  • American rapper Nelly arrested for drug abuse

    American rapper Nelly arrested for drug abuse

    Following the discovery of marijuana and meth in his bus by a Tennessee State Trooper, popular American rapper, Nelly, was arrested for abuse of hard drugs. He was arrested on Saturday morning.

    According to reports, the troopers perceived the smell of marijuana when they stopped the bus and then proceeded to search it. The search uncovered marijuana, meth, as well as multiple handguns. Nelly and one of the other five people in the bus were immediately arrested and taken to the Putnam County Jail.

    In an official statement released by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Securities, Nelly was charged with felony possession of drugs, simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

    The bus was occupied by six subjects, one of whom was identified as Nelly, 40, Brian Jones, 44, of St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Jones, a convicted felon, was also in possession of a handgun and was charged accordingly.

  • Parents and drug abuse

    The discussions about drug abuse on our campuses came sharply into focus at a programme organised by the Bells University Parents’ Forum (BUPF) last Wednesday.

    The keynote speaker, Dr Dokun Adedeji, and members of a panel that discussed the topic: “Challenges of the Growing Use and Abuse of Drugs in Tertiary Institutions” did a good job telling us all we needed to know about substance abuse and addiction.  I particularly found the stories they shared touching and instructive.

    The keynote speaker shared how the only child of a wealthy couple was lured into drugs at age 10 by a relative who lived with them as an undergraduate. The boy then initiated his friends in the neighbourhood into marijuana smoking at such tender age. He was only caught when he was sent to boarding house in a faith-based secondary school. His parents were completely oblivious of his problem until he was sent away from school – after some years had gone by.

    Another speaker, Dr Olamijulo Fatiregun of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, shared a story about a student of a private university brought to him because he had very low blood pressure – one of the consequences of hard drug addiction.  The student was from a very religious family.  As a doctor, Fatiregun could see all the signs of drug addiction.  However, when he pointedly asked the boy if he did drugs, the young man out rightly denied it.  But it was his mother’s response that caught my attention.  The woman quickly came to her son’s rescue, stoutly defending him for being righteous.  She even told the doctor that he was ‘a choir director’ in their church, and so could not partake in such an unholy habit.  What a claim!

    The biggest lesson I took away from the programme was that parents cannot afford to pass on their responsibilities to the school.  Many parents do little beyond paying school fees and providing other material needs once their wards begin school.  However, such attitude does not help.  School administrators have complained about it over and over again.

    Research has shown that children whose parents monitor their education closely perform better in school.  Parents need to be vigilant about everything that concerns their children.  When they come from school, they should check their school bags, read letters/circulars or other correspondences from schools, attending open days, PTA meetings and interact regularly with the teachers and other workers that take care of their children.  They should also ask questions about their wards’ daily activities, examine their clothes and bodies, and watch for mood swings and other behavioural changes.  It is difficult for a parent that is so vigilant to miss when something goes wrong.

    If something is indeed wrong, rather than cover up, parents should simply ask for help.  Like was said at the meeting, some children have perfected the art of being very good at home and daredevils in school.  It is sometimes so bad that parents cannot reconcile what they hear about their wards’ behaviour in school with what obtains at home.  However, if such situations arise, parents must be open-minded enough to listen (to both the complainant and their wards), investigate, and then act.  Taking the stance of “my child can never do such” may end up haunting the parents at the end of the day.  It is good for parents to be able to stand up for their wards because there are situations where the case may be unfair or the allegations even false.  However, it is a very vigilant parent that should be confident to make such boast without fear of being disgraced later.

    Parenting is one of the most difficult jobs in the world.  There is no formal training for it, neither are there one-size-fits-all methods.  However, the eternal principles that govern human life – as espoused by the Bible and other religious books and values – always guide children in the right path.  Parents must painstakingly teach their wards such principles.  Failure to do so may result in the situation Dr Adedeji witnesses in his rehabilitation centre – parents in their twilight years seeking help for children aged 50 and above.  A sad end indeed!  This counsel applies to me as well.

  • ‘Drug abuse threatens national development’

    Drug abuse and illicit trafficking have been described as a threat to socio-economic and national development of the nation.

    Ogun State Commissioner of Health Dr. Olaokun Soyinka stated this at activities marking this year’s United Nations International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

    Soyinka said drug abuse and trafficking in narcotic and psychotropic substances are global phenomena threatening not only the health of the citizens but also destroy the social cohesion including economic and political stability of the nation.

    According to Dr Soyinka, the menace is a major threat to the survival and effective functioning of human societies, instances of deaths from accidents and violent crimes like armed robbery, car snatching, theft, assassinations, and arson had been traced to the activities of persons under the influence of hard drugs.

    “Some of our youths, particularly our girls under the influence of drugs parade themselves on the street at night as prostitutes, thereby exposing themselves to various forms of sexually transmitted diseases including Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).”

    Calling on stakeholders particularly teachers and religious leaders to educate students and members of the society on the dangers of drug abuse, the commissioner said the theme of the event: “Messages of hope- drug abuse disorders are preventable and treatable”, could not have been better than now when teenagers and youths needed it the most.

    Dr. Soyinka assured that the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration would leave no stone unturned at ensuring relative peace and improved security, saying that Drug Abuse Committee had been set-up with the responsibility of intensifying campaigns against drug abuse and trafficking, through effective  mobilisation of the grassroots and Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) amongst others.