By Suleiman 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 Suleiman Tajudeen is Head, Clinical Psychology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-araba, Lagos State.
