culled from our Instructional Material: S.A.F.E™ 4 YOU:
TIP 92
DRUG ABUSE (1)
“Drugs are a waste of time. They destroy your memory and your self-respect and
everything that goes along with your self esteem.”
My dear and precious young ones I am glad to be with you today. Sure you are making the best of your day. My pleasure is to be with you today as we discuss the matters of your Personal Safety and Self-Protection.
I will be discussing with you for the next few days what drug abuse really means.
In considering the definition of drug abuse, we must first understand that “Drug” and “Abuse” are two different words. The need then arises to define both words separately to get the meaning of the phrase: “Drug abuse”.
“Drug” is defined by Advanced Learners’ Dictionary as follows:
- Substance used for medical purpose either alone or in a mixture substance that changes the state or function of cells, organs, or organisms.
- Substance (often habitual forming) inducing sleep or producing stupor or insensibility e.g. opium, cocaine.
From these definitions, drugs can be divided into two classes:
- Drugs that are medicinal in nature and
- Drugs that are stimulating in nature.
“Abuse” means “to make a bad or wrong use of”. Another word that is used inter-changeably with the word, “abuse” is the word, “addiction”. Addiction means “the instance of being given to, habitually or compulsively”.
Flowing from the definitions of abuse and addiction it becomes clear that all kinds of drugs can be abused or addicted to. It has even now being found that other drugs like panadol, paracetamol are being abused by the Nigerian youth.
Few popular examples under the first category of drugs are panadol, paracetamol, etc. while drugs under the second category include ‘cannabis, Opium, synthetic “designer” drugs like Ecstasy, Codeine, Lizard Dung, Office Pins, Barbiturate derivatives, Benzodiazepines like Alprazolam, Diazepam, Amphetamines, Phenethylamine and Tryptamine derivatives; different forms of drugs are available for inducing euphoria,’ as set out by Usama Dandare in article titled, Codeine Abuse: Mis-Shaping The Future Of Nigerian Youths, published on www.abusidiqu.com.
This enlightening article also submits as follows: ‘the menace of drug abuse has now taken a formidable dimension whereby our youths indulged in a new modus of attaining a drug-induced stimulation ‘getting high’ and sorrowfully, the new dimension is nothing but that of “Codeine Phosphate” – a medication meant to cure cough and cold-related ailments but surprisingly, codeine has turned out to be a favourite euphoria to many.’
An article titled, Nigerian Youths In Search Of Intoxicated Substances: The Future In Danger, Published on www.thenigerianvoice.com, it is revealed that ‘in recent years new substance of abuse such as vapour from pit latrine, gutter, and stagnant dirty water, excreta of animal (e.g lizard dung) is gaining popularity and being used by the children and adult to get high… People in the first categories(the elite) are much addicted to drug like cocaine amphetamine, depressant (barbiturate and alcohol). The middle class are more addicted to narcotics (heroin and morphine) and hallucinogen (cannabis, marijuana, LSD, codeine and alcohol) while the poor are identified with various forms substances ranging from ogogoro, glue, mandara sukudai, gegemu among others.’
In recent interview, Published http://www.thisdaylive.com, the former Director General, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mr. Otunba Ipinmisho, revealed that ‘40% of Nigerian Youths Engage in Substance Abuse.’
It is a sobering day for me discussing this tip. I will like to rest here as we continue tomorrow. Do have an INSPIRED day.
The THINK Factor
What do you really think about what we discussed today? Do you really think this is a major problem among young people today? Take time to really reflect and share your thoughts in your S.A.F.E™ 4 YOU Personal Journal and share with your parents and other trusted caregivers and friends.
Taiwo AKINLAMI 