By CHIOMA OBINNA

On this year’s World Drugs Day, Nigerian youths have been  urged to “think health” and desist from drug abuse with a view to averting drug-related disorders.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme in Lagos, Project Manager, Centre for the Right to Health, CRH, Mrs. Christy Ekerete- Udofia explained that drug trafficking/abuse is not accepted by society in general because of the harmful effects to humanity.

“When we are under the influence of drugs, we do a lot of unacceptable things such as armed-robbery, rape, violence, etc. Also many homes have been broken as a result of drug abuse either by the man, woman or even children,” she said.

Ekerete–Udofia who spoke extensively on the dangers in drug use said injecting drug use is recognised as a significant risk factor for HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria.

June 26 is set aside as an international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987 to remind member states on the goals of creating an international society free drug abuse.

The theme of this year is “A message of hope; Drug use disorders are preventable and treatable.’
Listing some disorders caused by drug abuse, she said psychoactive substance use can lead to dependence syndrome – a cluster of behavioural, cognitive, and physiological phenomena that develop after repeated substance use.

“Injecting drug use is recognised as a significant risk factor for HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, where estimated HIV prevalence among injecting drug users (IDUs) ranges from 5.5 percent and 42.9 percent. In Nigeria, HIV prevalence among IDUs ranged from 3.1 percent in Cross River state to 10 percent in Kano state in 2007.

HIV prevalence

Currently, 3.5 million Nigerians are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS, while high risk practices, such as injecting drug use and sex work, drive the epidemic in sub-Sahara Africa.

“We have been bringing you messages of hope by teaching you how to protect yourself.  This messages include; use of fresh needles if you must inject, consistent and correct use of condoms during sexual intercourse and the need for personal hygiene as well as the need to exercise your body.

“Today, we bring to you a new message which is “Think health not drugs”, this is because it is our wish that we all live a healthy life without drugs that is why we have always talked to you about rehabilitation.

The Centre in collaboration with Society for Family Health and Federal Neuropsychiatric hospital, Yaba, signed a memorandum of understanding for rehabilitation of victims to become meaningful and respected citizens of Nigeria.

Ekerete noted that in the course of the rehabilitation project, success stories emerged as drug users who have abandoned the habit are living better lives and re-uniting with their families.