ALCOHOL AND ILLILCIT DRUG USE AMONGST TEENAGERS IN NIGERIA

It is important to know what alcohol intake and drug abuse mean. Thus, drug abuse according to the Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary is the “habitual use of drugs not needed for therapeutic purposes, solely to alter one’s mood, affect, or state of consciousness, or to affect the body function unnecessarily”.

Drugabuse is a great problem faced in our society today despite the known risks associated with it. Some of these risks could be death, addiction, mental disorder, and other drug related health conditions. In 2013, The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that about 320,000 young people between the ages of 15-29 die annually from alcohol and other related drugs, resulting in about 9% of death cases. This same report has also shown that at least 15.3 million persons have drug related disorders.

According to the Nigerian statistics, the Northwest has about 37.47 percent of the drug abuse victims in the country; the southwest on the other hand is rated second with a 17.32 percent of people affected by drug abuse. While the southeast has 13.5 percent, and the North-central has 11.71 percent making the geo-political zones rate third and fourth respectively, living the North-east zone with 8.5 percent of drug users in the country (Akannam, 2008).

There are different types of drugs consumed by users. These drugs include; Tobacco, cannabinoids (marijuana also called pot, weed, Mary Jane, joint),cold medications (such as; Sudafed and Benadryl), inhalants(such as; gasoline, ammonia), narcotics(such as; codeine, morphine, heroin, oxycodone) says the “MedicineNets’ Deppression Newsletter.”  lizard dungs, cannabis, codeine, Benylin (cough syrup), Delta 9 amongst others.

One important question we ask ourselves daily is; why is illicit drug usage common among teenagers? This question can simply be answered when we look closely at Erik Erikson’s fifthpsychosocial stage of development. This stage of development states that teens try to develop and explore independence which allows them to make their own decisions. This exploration of independence opens their minds to curiosity which pricks them to want to know the answers to three basic questions; what, why, and how?

Aside curiosities, one other reason why teens engage in illicit drug use are societal norms. They feel that since there are people around them who also take these drugs, they too can engage themselves in it. Many at times, parents, guardians and older people around these teens do not frown at drug abuse as they too engage themselves in it; these teens and adolescents see nothing wrong it taking it as well.

The feeling of belonging is very common amongst teens. They often want to belong and fit in their peer groups, therefore engaging themselves in what their peers do, not wanting to be left in isolation. Drug taking becomes a significant marker of belonging in cultures where its consumption is central to social gatherings.

“It makes me feel good” is the usual answer given by teens when asked why they engage themselves in drug usage. The intake of drugs amongst teens is commonly seen as a way to derive pleasure which allows them not only to feel good but feel a sense of “freedom”.

Boredom is one very important reason for drug intake. Boredom is often very tedious for teenagers and will desire an escape from it, and sometimes not minding the risks this escape might come with.

According to the trainer, speaker and coach Chris Hudson, in a “study on teenage drug use it was found that bored teens were 50% more likely to get involved in drug use than those who weren’t.”

There are many other reasons for illicit drug taking by teenagers. These includes; the feeling to rebel against societal rules, peer pressure, and having the desire to experience something other than numbness amongst others.

Who is to blame for the drug abuse found in adolescents and teenagers? This question has been asked over the years by people when a teenager starts using drugs. It is wondered if teachers,parents or the society are to be blamed fordrug abuse in these adolescents. Others might choose to blame parents while others blame teachers, or the society.

It is important to look at the negligence of all the three parties mentioned above in terms of laying claims and arguments on which we are to blame. The teachers, parents and in some cases the society contribute in the abuse of drugs found amongst teens.

Why should we blame the teachers of these teens engaged in drug abuse? Some of these teachers fail to correct the students when they see them with these drugs due to familiarity or even personal relationships they have with the students. Also, some of these teenagers see their teachers take these drugs. The teenagers imitate this drug intake because they see their teachers as role models. Hence, believe that their teachers always do what is right.

Some parents fail to monitor their children’s grades, places they visit and the kind of company they keep. Some parents may think that talking or advising their child about drugs only once is enough to keep them away from it.

Psychology research has certainly demonstrated the importance of parent-child relationship, but many parents have failed to create this relationship with their children. If a parent does not keep a relationship with his/her child, how then can he/she advice or know when the child is beginning to keep friends who are likely to have a negative impact on them.

Children usually pay very close attention to what their parents do or say. Even fiercely independent teens are very well influenced by their parents, so if a parent drinks and his child sees, it is likely for that child to learn and engage himself in the intake of these drugs. Having a parent who uses drug is a strong predicator of adolescent abuse of drugs. How can a child listen to the preaching of his parent when the act of this parent contradicts his preaching?

The society is not left out in the contributions of illicit drug use amongst teenagers in Nigeria. The society promotes drug usage in adverts, musical concerts, and other forms of promotions. Despite the dangers and risks associated with these drugs, other individuals and companies who produce these drugs associate it to greatness and for brighter life. These associations to greatness and brighter life have already painted the drugs as harmless.

Since drugs are rampant in the Nigerian streets, teens find it very easy to purchase and use them. These drugs can be found in roadside shops, markets, car parks, etc. Other adults in the society use these drugs often not minding where he/she is and whether a minor is watching or not.

Drug abuse might seem harmless at first, but can have a long term negative effect on users. Some of these include; poor performance in school, mental illness, stress, internal damages (such as; liver, brain, lungs, throat, stomach).

Drug abuse should be prevented with as much effort as possible. In the help to prevent this drug use, the Nigerian government has helped in setting agencies such as The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to help in regulating the demand and supply of these drugs. This aid by the government should not make parents, teachers, religious leaders, as well as other members of the society relax, but work hard in ensuring that these drug selling and usage be minimized especially amongst youths and teenagers.  Awareness campaigns should be made through the use of media, NGOs, seminars and other means of communications.

In conclusion, we are made to understand that drug usage is likely to have negative effects of its users, especially adolescents and teenagers.Therefore, I recommend sincere orientation and re-orientation by parents. The government should also make it its priority to make to the curriculum of schools a subject whereby studentsshould be informed about drugs and its negative effects.

By Nenpan Ngwan. email: baibnen@gmail.com

an article on page 12 of Vol.1 No.2

 of Natifz Times Newspaper 

of  20-26 August, 2016