Infectious Diseases, Rampant Among Drug Addicts – NGO

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Bensther Development Foundation, says infectious diseases are rampant among drug addicts in the society.
Executive Director of the foundation, Mr Nonso Maduka, disclosed this during a  Stakeholders’ Forum on Infectious Diseases, Drug Use and Achieving SDG3 yesterday in Enugu.
Maduka explained that infectious diseases such as HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis C and B were prevalent among drug addicts, who inject the substance into their blood.
The director further asserted that one out of three persons who use cannabis has mental health problem.
He noted that not all drug addicts are criminals as there are different reasons that made them drug addicts.
Maduka urged the public to always discourage illicit drug users from using drugs, through counseling, showing them kindness, and taking them to hospital for treatment.
”There are lack of facilities and capacity at the community health centres and substance abuse is  community based.
”Even among the health professionals, they cannot help a drug addict, rather they often scold or maltreat such a person,” he alleged.
Maduka said that treatment of drug addicts could be by rehabilitation, counseling, providing vocational education, through community development, among others.
Dr Justus Onu, a Consultant Psychiatrist, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu said that drug addicts required treatment because it is a disease.