Sir: It was in the news that Professor Egwunyenga, on January 15, 2024 in his office when he received a high powered team of the Delta State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), underlined the need for the country to adopt a multilateral approach which includes stakeholders such as government agencies, non-governmental organisations, medical groups, religious bodies, educational and other institutions in the fight against illegal trade and use of drugs.
Aside from emphasizing the need to engage the students in the language they understood through constant advocacy and the establishment of drug-free clubs which would draw their attention to the destructive effect of illicit drugs, also relevant to the discourse was the Professor of Parasitology and Public Health’s admission that the poverty and deprivation under which the students lived, as well as the overpowering influence of social media were contributory factors to the social menace of drug abuse in the academic community and far beyond.
First, the reported declaration by the Delta State Commander of the NDLEA, Barrister Abubakar Wada, that cannabis stevia and tramadol are some of the drugs often abused in the state, identifying Abraka, Agbor, Asaba and Ughelli as high risk areas, is a revelation that the Delta state government must pay attention to, and act on.
Also, Professor Egwunyenga reportedlyemphasised the need to carry out research in different aspects of the drug problem with a view to proffering solutions.
The following solution-oriented questions arise: What is drug? At what point is the crime of drug abuse considered to have been committed? Who are the most culpable? What are the effects of such crimes? And most importantly, how do we ensure that we don’t fail future generation by leaving them a society destroyed and far diminished socio-economically?
Beginning with the meaning, a drug going by what health professionals are saying, is any substance other than food or water which when taken into the body affects the way the system functions. Drug abuse on the other hand simply means the act of substance consumption in amounts or methods not authorized by medical professionals.
There are but three main forms of drug abuse. They include the use of; mood-altering or psycho-active drugs, performance-enhancing drug and dependency drugs.
While mood-altering or psychoactive drugs such as codeine, tramadol affect people’s reasoning ability and give the abuser wrong sense of wellbeing, performance-enhancing drugs give extra stamina or energy to the abuser.
Dependency drugs on its part typify drugs people abuse in the course of trying to overcome some health issue or challenges or taken to maintain a particular lifestyle.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), explains that drug dependency is both physical and psychological.
Re-orientation on our cultural values by faith-based organizations and the civil society groups will assist the youths to drop illicit consumption of drugs and unwholesome behaviour that endangers their lives and threatens the society.
Parents and guardians on their part must strive to influence which people capture their children imaginations and always be aware of who their friends are and what places they frequent. And always put the youths in the presence of people of great accomplishment whom they want them to emulate.
In a similar manner, youths should recognize that ‘the future is full of promises as it is fraught with uncertainty. They should therefore, develop the capacity to seek activities laced with highest values. The abuser must recognize that drug abuse has both short and long-term effects, but unfortunately, both lead to one destination- death.
• Jerome-Mario Utomi is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy) at Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos. He can be reached via jeromeutomin@yahoo.com/08032725374.
