Health
SOME mental health practitioners have recommended rehabilitation, mental healthcare, support and assessment for those involved in drug abuse rather than arrest or prosecution.
The experts made the recommendations in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday.
They spoke in commemoration of the 2026 World Drug Day with the theme: “World drug problem: persisting issues, new challenges, innovative responses”.
NAN reports that the day, marked annually on June 26, aims to raise awareness about the global issue of drug abuse and illicit drug trade.
Speaking, a Substance Abuse Professional, Dr Mercy Ajayi, decried the idea of arresting and prosecuting persons involved in drug abuse instead of offering them the needed help.
According to her, the most important thing should be to look for ways to address the root cause of drug abuse in the society.
She classified the causes of drug abuse to range from social, economic and environmental factors including poverty, to poor prenting, peer pressure, frustration, unemployment, depression, anxiety among others.
“What people with substance abuse disorders need, are healthcare, rehabilitation and support.
“They need to be treated with love and empathy, rather than arrest, beating, deliverance and prosecution as seen in most cases in the society,” Ajayi said.
Ajayi, however, identified family as the root cause of drug abuse, calling on parents to top their games in raising responsible children.
The National President, International Society of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Professionals (ISSUP) Nigeria Chapter, Dr Martin Agwogie, said that 14 per cent of adult Nigerians were also into drug abuse and substance use.
Agwogie described drug abuse as a big menace that had eaten deep into the society, calling for collaborative efforts of everyone – the governments, families, parents, organisations to fight drug abuse.
“The day should serve as a clarion call not only to the family or parents, but also to the governments, organisations, religions to contribute to the fight against drug and substance abuse.
“This is because drug abuse is very vast and requires multi-dimensional approach to be addressed,” Agwogie said.
Contributing, a Psychologist, Ms Moyosore Olupona, called on parents and families to rise up to their responsibility of raising responsible children for the brighter future of the country.
Olupona said the family was the pillar of the society where children should learn morals, values and behaviours that could transform their lives to be responsible citizens.
She regretted that many children were not fortunate enough to enjoy good parenting, saying that some parents had failed in their responsibility of rendering good parenting advice and guidance.
According to her, the social vices, immoral behaviours, drug and substance abuse and addictions that full the society today all started from the family.
“Once the family/parents fail in their responsibility of inculcating good morals and values in the children from childhood; it becomes difficult to get it right again.
“Children learn to use drugs and substances from home as well as schools and peer groups.
“As a parent, you should always be close to your children, be their best friend to be able to inclucate good morals in them.
“So, that in cases where bad peer group influence are coming in, they can feel free to confide in you for the right decision/direction,” she said.(NAN)
F.O
Tags: abuse Drug Day Experts