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HEALTH TALK: Impact and psycho-social implications of drug abuse (Part 2)

 

 

 

By Sulaiman Tajudeen

 

Effects of drug abuse on academic performance

Drop in grades and academics

Inability to concentrate in class or retain studies learnt

Decreased performance on tasks

Skipping classes and other related issues

Dropping out of school

Risky behaviours (i.e., unsafe sex as a result of drug use).

Increased likelihood of developing more substance use

Inability to experience peace without the use of drugs

Poor planning and judgement, plus the inability to think about the consequences of their actions

Difficulty in self-control

Factors that cause drug abuse

Peer pressure

Social media influence

Influence of culture

The desire to be oneself

Mental health problems such as depression

Poor socio-economic status of parents

Family problems

Poor academic performance

Competition

Low self-esteem

Unemployment

Lack of parental supervision

The need for energy to read/work for longer hours

Availability of the drugs

Emotional and psychological stresses

Experimentation/curiosity

Permissive attitude towards drugs

Skills deficit

Delinquent/conduct disorder

Drop-out/expulsion/suspension from school

Teenage pregnancy

Physical/emotional abuse

Marital discord/divorce

Symptoms

Sudden change in behaviour

Mood swings such as irritability or subtle withdrawal from family members, friends

Careless about personal growth such as poor personal hygiene

Loss of interest in hobbies or other significant things in their lives

Insomnia/sleeping disorder

Sniffling or runny nose

Redness of the eyes

Sudden weight loss or gain

Deteriorating physical appearance

Unusual smells on breath or clothing

Tremors, slurred speech and impaired coordination

Marks on the skin, such as injection spot

Social effects

It increases the number of political thuggery.

It increases the spate of insurgencies and unrest because 95% of insurgents are drug addicts.

It increases the number of insane people in society.

It increases the number of criminal offences like robbery, kidnapping and banditry.

It leads to poor interpersonal relationships among family members and society at large.

Loss of social control.

Draining of family resources.

Shrinking from responsibility.

Sickness and death.

Economic effects

Loss of potential manpower, low productivity and an unfavourable environment for the investors.

The government spends more money on security settlements of IDPs created as a result of drug abuse instead of using such funds to provide social amenities.

It tarnishes the image of the country.

It encourages corruption among the populace.

It encourages corrupt people to loot public funds.

It causes political unrest in the country.

It is, therefore, important to note that most evil acts of armed robbery, insurgency, crimes, banditry, herdsmen clash and political unrest are caused largely by drug abuse(rs).

Physical effects

Seizures

Stroke

Mental confusion and brain damage

Difficulty in decision-making and lack of attention span.

Liver and lung diseases.

Poor memory.

Aggressive behaviour.

Erectile dysfunction.

Weakened immune system.

Abnormal heart rates and blood vessel infections from injected drugs.

Nausea and abdominal pain.

Impaired judgment.

Hallucinations

Paranoia

Psychotherapeutic implications Establishments of family education on drug abuse

Establishment of counselling centres for drug control in schools & society at large.

Designing curricula on drug education at all school levels

Promoting effective studying habits among students.

Drug awareness campaigns must be intensified among the student population.

Parents should stop the use of drugs indiscriminately in the presence of their children.

Psychologists should assist students in redirecting their attention from drug use to more productive activities in schools and society at large.

Psychologists should create awareness on radio, television and other social media about the danger of drug abuse among Nigerian students and society at large.

Providing more employment opportunities.

The government should provide basic needs to the populace, such as social infrastructure.

Fighting corruption by the government.

Creating awareness in the community about dangers of drug abuse.

Provision of alternatives to drug abuse like recreational activities.

Organizing teachings, seminars, workshops, etc to educate students on the dangers of drug abuse

Reduction in the sales of drugs in society.

Establish vigilante groups to monitor the sales of drugs and punish offenders.

Provide homes for homeless youths, orphans, and widows who have problems with substance use

Increase the number of security personnel in NDLEA and provide necessary facilities.

NGOs should support the war against drug abuse in the society.

Participation in religious organizations will go a long way toward reducing drug abuse in society.

Pronouncing stringent punishment for sellers and buyers of all forms of abused substances.

Parents should care for their children’s needs, such as physical, and psychological needs, and with adequate supervision.

Provision of treatment and rehabilitation centres across the country for affected students.

Training of personnel that will care for the affected students, i.e; psychologists, counsellors, psychiatrists, social workers, and other mental health-related workers.

 

Dr Sulaiman Tajudeen is Head, Clinical Psychology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-araba, Lagos State.

 

 

 

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