Experts Caution Youth Against Drug Abuse

A Director, Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr Carmelita Agborubere, has called on youth in Rivers State to desist from the use of illicit drugs as he noted such action was the leading cause of crime and cult-related violence in the state.
Dr Agborubere listed marijuana, cocaine, heroin, opium, alcohol, gum powder, inhaling of dry faeces, glue and Tramadol, among others, as some of the most dangerous substances, which have negatively impacted the health conditions of the youth and led to many deaths.
Agborubere, made the call during a one-day awareness and sensitization workshop on the Theme: “Drug Abuse,” organised by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), ‘CayWoodBrown Foundation’ in partnership with the Rivers State Government and other NGOs, at the Ministry of Justice, Multipurpose Hall, Port Harcourt, recently.
The director, who was the guest speaker, listed so many negative reasons why some youth were prone to drugs abuse, which had culminated in their destruction,  and added that no matter the challenges of life, no youth should allow himself to be misled into the intake of illicit drugs.
While exploring the topic, ‘Effects Of Drugs On Youth: The Psycho-Social Implications,’ Agborubere said vulnerable youth were mostly affected in the early development of anti-social behaviours and habits because of the fascination to explore new grounds.
Describing drug abuse as the compulsive, excessive, self-damaging use of illicit substances, she explained that addiction to drugs could lead to damage to kidney, liver and heart as well as dependence and serious psychological injury, occasioning dysfunctional behavioural patterns such as hallucination and memory loss.
Speaking on the topic: ‘The Health Side Of Substance And Alcohol,’ a mental health physician at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Dr Chukwuma Okeafor said peer group influence was one of the contributory factors to drug abuse, and cautioned youth to beware of the type of friends they kept.
Okeafor urged those indulging in drug abuse to stop and seek help from any hospital or rehabilitation centre.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana