CHAPTER ONE

1.0       Introduction

In both cities and rural area, young people and adults can be seen who have unsound minds. They wander about, sometimes begging for food or money. As they talk to themselves or to others, it can be noticed that they are mentally ill. In the neighbour hood where they live, those who now them well can trace their problems back to excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages, smoking and or use of drugs such as marijuana.

Unfortunately, in spite of such evidence of the harmful effects of drugs, healthy people still join in taking drugs. Drug abuse is not limited to any one country. All over the world, the control of illegal trafficking in drugs is a hard task for governments. Those who engage in illegal trade in drugs are determined to continue because, they make big profit.

According to Merck Manual of medical information (2003), substance abuse is the use of mind- altering drugs without medical need, in an amount large enough or over a period long   enough to threaten the quality of life or health and safety of the user or others.

Substances such as alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines among others are now being taken frequently and in large quantities by our youth. Teenagers and youths between the age of 15 and 30 constitute the high risk groups with females also getting involved. Other groups of abusers are divers, conductors, civil servants and artistes.

The drugs or substances that are being taken can be illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin or legal substances such a prescription drugs like paracetamol, chloroquine, cough syrup, e.t.c when used in excess or without medical prescription.

According to APA (2000) in DSM IV TR, substance abuse is a maladaptive pattern of substance use manifested by recurrent and significant adverse consequences related to the repeated use of substances that poses significant hazards to health.

Individuals who abuse substances may experience such harmful consequences of substance use as repeated failure to fulfill roles for which they are responsible, legal difficulties or social and interpersonal problems.

1.1       Literature Review

American Psychiatric Association (2000) defines drug abuse as continual use of psychoactive substance despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent social, occupational, psychological or physical problem that is caused by deliberate use of this substance.

Types of Drugs Commonly Abused In Nigeria

According to NDLEA and NDICP (2014),

·         Sedatives, example, barbiturates, mild tranquillizers

·         Cannabis, example, marijuana, hashish.

·         Hallucinogens, example, Lysergic Acid diethylamide (LSD), dertrover.

·         Narcotics, example, heroin, methadone.

·         Stimulants, example, cocaine, amphetamine

Sedatives

These are group of drugs used to relax the nervous system and induce sleep. When taken in small doses, they can reduce day time tension and anxiety. Barbiturates are the largest sub-group of sedatives. Some of the barbiturates are short acting and fast starting, while some are low- starting and long acting. These slow- starting and long- acting sedatives are the most abused.

Cannabis

This is a plant that has been grown for thousands of years as a source of fibre and of seeds rich in oil. The leaves and greenish flowers are a source of a powerful nercotic substance. The leaves and flowers are prepared and taken in various forms, they may be eaten, drunk, inhaled or smoked. It’s not used medicinally. The drug is known by various names in different parts of the world such as marijuana and hashish. The strongest form of the drug is obtained from a compound that forms the flowers of the female plants. Often the leaves are simply dried, powered, and mixed with tobacco in cigarette or smoked alone.

Hallucinogens

These are drugs capable of provoking changes of sensations, thinking, distorted perceptions, self awareness and emotions. They alter the user’s ability to separate fact from fantasy. The degree to which the users suffers from hallucinations depends on the dose of the drug taken.

Nercotics

These are drugs that often blunt the senses. They also make people sleep and relieve pain. Nercotics which usually refer to opium and it’s derivatives in large doses may cause a complete loss of the senses. Nercotics acts as depressants to certain areas of the brain and part of the nervous system. They can also reduce hunger, thirst, sex drive in addition to pain.

Stimulants

These are group of drugs that excite the nervous system. They include caffeine (present in coffee, tea and some soft drinks). The effects of caffeine are mild. Strong stimulants are amphetamine and cocaine.